FIRST Union is a national trade union in New Zealand that was formed on 1 October 2011 by the merger of the National Distribution Union and Finsec.
FIRST Union | |
 | |
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Location | |
Members | 31,000 [1] |
Key people | Bill Bradford, president Dennis Maga, general secretary |
| Affiliations | NZCTU |
| Website | www.firstunion.org.nz |
Leadership and structure edit
FIRST Union has a membership of more than 31,000 as of 1 October 2023 [2] and is affiliated with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. It is also affiliated to various international federations through its five sectors; Finance, Industrial (Textile, Clothing, Baking, Wood, Energy), Retail, Stores (distribution and logistics) and Transport. While not affiliated with the New Zealand Labour Party, former NDU secretary Laila Harré (as an Alliance MP) served in the Fifth Labour Government as Minister for Women's Affairs and was the primary architect of the country's paid parental leave system.[3]
The current General Secretary is Dennis Maga, the first Asian New Zealander to lead a major New Zealand trade union. Maga was born in the Philippines and elected general secretary in November 2017.[4]
History edit
On 7 November 2018, the New Zealand Bakers, Pastrycooks and Related Employees Union amalgamated into FIRST Union.[5] The New Zealand Bakers, Pastrycooks and Related Employees Union reported having 443 members on March 1, 2018, in its annual membership return. [6] On 28 April 2023, the Northern Chemical Workers Union amalgamated into FIRST Union. [7]
References edit
- ^ Union Membership Return Report 2021 (Report). The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE). 2021.
- ^ Union Membership Return Report 2021 (Report). The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE). 2021.
- ^ "Laila Harre Speech 2nd Reading Paid Parental Leave | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ "FIRST Union elect first Asian NZer to lead major trade union - 14-Feb-2018 - Scoop New Zealand News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- ^ First Union Incorporated Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2019 (Report). First Union Incorporated. 20 November 2019.
- ^ Union Membership Return Report 2018 (Report). The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE). 2018.
- ^ FIRST Union Incorporated Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2022 (Report). First Union Incorporated. 29 May 2023.
External links edit
- FIRST Union official site.
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