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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 65]
Will Supermarket Workers Share Record Profits?
Wednesday, 19 July 2006, 10:32 am | National Distribution Union
Woolworths will confirm over the next two days of negotiations with the National Distribution Union whether yesterday’s “promise of more to come” included its New Zealand supermarket workers. More >>
Link Between Crime and Poverty Reports, Says Union
Monday, 17 July 2006, 12:41 am | National Distribution Union
There is a direct link between a Ministry of Development standard of living report and a treasury report showing the increasing cost of crime, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
90 Day Bill Will be a "Life Shock" for Families
Thursday, 13 July 2006, 11:05 am | National Distribution Union
The 90 Day Bill would increase 'life shocks' for workers and beneficiaries starting new jobs and needs to be defeated, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Report Shows Need for $12 Min Wage, Secure Hours
Thursday, 13 July 2006, 9:15 am | National Distribution Union
Today's Ministry of Social Development report was unsurprising, but reconfirmed the immediate need for a $12 minimum wage, an end to youth rates and secure hours, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
90 Day Bill Will be a “Life Shock”
Wednesday, 12 July 2006, 5:26 pm | National Distribution Union
The 90 Day Bill would increase ‘life shocks’ for workers and beneficiaries starting new jobs and needs to be defeated, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Finger Scanning Alternative for Supermarket Staff
Tuesday, 11 July 2006, 9:44 am | National Distribution Union
The supermarket worker who objected to having her finger print scanned and used for a new clock-in system at New World Motueka last week has been offered the option of using a PIN number on the same machine. More >>
Union Offers Free Membership to Otter Finder
Wednesday, 28 June 2006, 1:30 pm | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union is offering free union membership to the person who finds Jin the otter, says National Secretary Laila Harré. Mrs Harré says that the National Distribution Union is a community-union and is committed to supporting members ... More >>
First Step in Ending Youth Rates in Retail Won
Thursday, 22 June 2006, 10:16 am | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union has won the first stage in its campaign to win the elimination of youth rates in retail today. National Distribution Union National Secretary Laila Harre said that the announcement today by Postie Plus to eliminate ... More >>
Unionists Back Junior Doctors
Friday, 16 June 2006, 10:06 am | National Distribution Union
The National Secretary of the NDU and a leader of the Nurses Organisations successful push for pay equity, Laila Harré, says that she believes District Health Boards have orchestrated a campaign to discredit and disempower the junior doctors' union, and ... More >>
Sylvia Park – a high point for low pay
Wednesday, 7 June 2006, 10:47 am | National Distribution Union
The union representing retail workers says that pace of big mall developments gives “even greater urgency to our campaigns to lift the basic wages and working conditions of retail workers and to scrap youth rates.” More >>
Buy Kiwi-Made will make a real difference
Monday, 15 May 2006, 9:13 am | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union hopes that funding to be announced today for the Green’s Buy Kiwi-Made programme will lead to “a real change in buying behaviour – especially by powerful purchasers like supermarkets and the Government.” More >>
Is BNZ’s profit at expense of workers’ health?
Thursday, 11 May 2006, 1:19 pm | Finsec
National Australia Bank (NAB), which owns the BNZ, announced a $2 billion dollar interim profit today. This included a $270 million half-year profit from BNZ. Finsec, the union of bank workers, believes that BNZ’s profit has been achieved at the expense ... More >>
‘Thanks for the profit, see you in six months'
Wednesday, 3 May 2006, 4:41 pm | Finsec
The New Zealand component of Westpac’s profit to be announced tomorrow is likely to be over $350 million. That means that each of Westpac’s 1.3 million customers have made an average $270 contribution to Westpac’s Australian shareholders during ... More >>
Can you spare a dime, Mister?
Thursday, 27 April 2006, 10:19 am | Finsec
ANZ Australia, which owns ANZ and National Banks in New Zealand, is expected today to announce a record interim profit, far in excess of AU$1.5 billion. Australian commentators have suggested that much of that growth is due to profits from its two ... More >>
Easter Sunday for communion and companionship
Wednesday, 12 April 2006, 9:03 am | National Distribution Union
The union for retail workers is calling on shop owners to keep their doors closed on Easter Sunday and respect the law of the country and values of family and community. More >>
Consultation called for on Ambulance changes
Tuesday, 11 April 2006, 5:23 pm | National Distribution Union
A union representing ambulance officers in the North Island is calling for more information and more consultation on restructuring plans announced by St Johns today. More >>
It's a tie! BNZ and Westpac both win 'worst' title
Tuesday, 7 March 2006, 9:55 am | Finsec
Judges of the annual Roger Awards, which recognise the worst-behaved transnational company in New Zealand, tonight declared BNZ and Westpac joint winners of the 2005 competition. More >>
‘BNZ by a nose’ in race to be worst company
Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 3:10 pm | Finsec
Judges of the annual Roger Awards, which recognise the worst-behaved transnational company in New Zealand, announce their decision on March 6. This year the finalists include two Australian-owned banks, BNZ and Westpac. Finsec, the union representing ... More >>
Labour’s support for Youth Wage Bill Good News
Wednesday, 15 February 2006, 7:35 am | National Distribution Union
The union for retail workers says that Labour’s announcement that it will support a Bill abolishing minimum wage youth rates over its first hurdle will give young workers a chance to win public support for the measure. More >>
Westpac Staff Vote to Accept Offer
Friday, 10 February 2006, 3:36 pm | Finsec
At 1pm today 87% of staff who belong to the finance union, Finsec, who voted have voted to accept Westpac’s latest employment agreement offer. More >>
