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FIRST Union
Putting Workers First
FIRST Union is New Zealand's second-largest private sector trade union.
Formed in 2011 after the merger between the National Distribution Union and Finsec, FIRST Union represents 27,000 workers in the Finance, Industrial (Textile and Wood), Retail, Stores, Transport and Logistics sectors.
FIRST Union is also affiliated to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and runs several networks including the Union Network of Migrants, the Runanga, Fono and Womens' Committee. In 2015 FIRST Union launched Samoa First Union, Samoa's only private sector union.
Join FIRST Union today for higher pay, better conditions and more say at work.
FIRST Union - Latest News [Page 60]
Filipino unionist fears for his life
Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 4:31 pm | National Distribution Union
Supermarket distribution workers have walked out in support of a Filipino trade unionist who had just learnt that his life or freedom is at risk for protesting against the Filipino President in New Zealand, says the National Distribution Union (NDU). More >>
Abducted Filipino Pastor found tortured today
Tuesday, 29 May 2007, 4:20 pm | National Distribution Union
Despite the assurances of the Filipino President to Helen Clark, the New Zealand Government and the "interfaith dialogue" in Waitangi today, a Pastor who was abducted yesterday was found today detained and tortured by the Philippine National Police, ... More >>
Arroyo Confronted With Brutal Facts
Tuesday, 29 May 2007, 4:16 pm | National Distribution Union
Delegates to the interfaith dialogue hosted by Prime Minister Helen Clark at Waitangi in New Zealand, were left in no doubt about the real issues of peace, security and tolerance that should be on their agenda, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Filipino unionist to protest at Parliament
Monday, 28 May 2007, 10:09 am | National Distribution Union
A Filipino trade unionist will be protesting in a cage against the Filipino President on the steps of Parliament today at 12.30pm in Wellington as the President attends a state lunch in her honour, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Filipino activist in NZ
Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 1:35 pm | National Distribution Union
Wellington (dpa) - Filipino labour unionist Dennis Maga is conducting a speaking tour of New Zealand to condemn political repression and killings in his homeland a week before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives for an official visit, a ... More >>
Unions condemn Philippine’s election killings
Monday, 21 May 2007, 12:33 am | National Distribution Union
A visiting Filipino unionist has begun a speaking tour to condemn the political repression and killings at last week’s elections in the Philippines, one week before the Philippines President is a guest of the New Zealand government. More >>
Banks some of the biggest beneficiaries
Thursday, 17 May 2007, 3:12 pm | Finsec
Overseas shareholders in Australian owned banks will benefit hugely from the corporate tax handouts announced in todays budget says Finsec, the bank workers union. Finsec estimates the business tax cut could see the profits of Australian owned banks increase ... More >>
Clark must follow through on Philipines rights
Thursday, 17 May 2007, 2:04 pm | National Distribution Union
As Philippines president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo prepares to attend an interfaith dialogue in New Zealand this month. Since she came to power six years ago, 837 people have died in extrajudicial killings – including left-wing politicians, rights activists, ... More >>
NDU Condemns Hospital Workers Lockout
Thursday, 17 May 2007, 9:44 am | National Distribution Union
A union that succeeded against an extended lock out of 600 locked out supermarket distribution centre workers last year has condemned the lock out of low paid hospital workers and pledged its support to a union movement campaign to support them. More >>
Victory for shop workers
Thursday, 17 May 2007, 9:41 am | National Distribution Union
The union for retail workers is thrilled by tonight's defeat of a bill set to liberalise shop trading on Easter Sunday. More >>
Shop Workers urge "No" vote on Easter Sunday Bill
Wednesday, 16 May 2007, 9:31 am | National Distribution Union
Shop workers are urging Members of Parliament to exercise their conscience votes in favour of family and community life and not commerce when they vote on a Bill aimed at opening shops on Easter Sunday tonight. More >>
NZ finance workers biggest pay increases
Monday, 14 May 2007, 11:59 am | Finsec
Today's Department of Labour wage growth report shows that campaigns run by union members in the finance sector are helping to deliver them the largest salary rises in New Zealand – 5% compared to a total increase of 3.1% for all workers. More >>
BNZ increases kiwi debt by $2bn in just six months
Thursday, 10 May 2007, 1:12 pm | Finsec
“BNZ’s ‘save the kiwi’ campaign may need to focus on those kiwi customers and homeowners who are struggling to get by given that Its own half yearly financial report shows it adding an extra AU$2 billion of debt to the New Zealand economy in ... More >>
Monetary review should examine banks’ behaviour
Thursday, 10 May 2007, 10:44 am | Finsec
Parliament’s review of monetary policy needs to look at the behaviour of New Zealand’s major banks if it is to find alternative ways of curbing inflation, says Andrew Casidy, the General Secretary of the bank workers’ union, Finsec. More >>
Retail Workers Can Rest Easy For Another Two Weeks
Thursday, 3 May 2007, 10:03 am | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union says that the 84 to 37 defeat of Jacqui Dean's Bill which would have opened shops on Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a positive sign. More >>
Historic pay deal reached at Westpac
Monday, 30 April 2007, 9:32 am | Finsec
Union members at Westpac have voted to accept a pay deal that will deliver most workers pay parity with the same or similar roles at ANZ National Bank. ANZ National has historically had the highest pay rates in the banking industry. More >>
ANZ National should invest profit in customers
Thursday, 26 April 2007, 2:48 pm | Finsec
ANZ Nationals record half yearly profit of $398 million gives the bank the resources it needs to follow its parent companys lead and invest heavily in customer service, says Finsec, the bank workers union. More >>
$40,000 payout for worker who defended himself
Sunday, 15 April 2007, 1:55 pm | National Distribution Union
A former Kaitaia mill worker is today celebrating a whopping $40,000 payout for unjustifiable dismissal, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Westpac workers vote on pay parity offer
Friday, 13 April 2007, 2:57 pm | Finsec
Union members at Westpac will begin voting next week on a pay offer that would see many of them receiving similar pay to their traditionally better paid colleagues at ANZ National Bank. The pay offer will increase the top amount a Westpac worker ... More >>
Warehouses flout law on Easter Sunday, again
Sunday, 8 April 2007, 3:44 pm | National Distribution Union
Companies opened illegally today include thirteen Bunning’s Warehouses, again, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
