Workers First Union

Don't use Discord? Don't worry, none of our other channels/pages are being replaced.

Discord is a great platform for people to talk among each other, instead of consuming content from the ‘top down’. Similar to MSN messenger (for those who remember!) but more suitable for bigger communities.

The Discord logo being projected above the Workers First Union colours and logo

Workers First Union has a Discord channel!
discord.gg/wqFkQK86wh

You do not have to be a Union member to join - come hang out and chat. As with all of our social media channels, assume that all chat is public/can be seen by employers and raise any personal issues with us directly.

#nzpol 1/8 Brooke van Velden’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill is an attack on the fundamental rights of working people. The Bill has passed its first reading—here’s how it’ll threaten your rights at work. A 🧵

Submission guide | Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2025 - NZCTU Minister for Workplace Relations Brooke van Velden’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill has passed its first reading. If it becomes law, it would seriously undermine workers’ rights in New Zealand’s ...

8/8 Submissions on the Bill close NEXT WEEK on the 13th of August. Get the word out by SHARING THIS THREAD, and make your submission on the Bill! We’ve built a submission guide for workers here: union.org.nz/submission-g...

Are Foodstuffs reneging on their agreement to rehire Victoria Park New World staff displaced by fire?

Make a submission: www.payequity.org.nz

Read our submission: www.workersfirst.nz/news/2025-07...

“Forty-one percent of veterinary nurses expect to leave animal health within five years... In mid-2024, the average vet nurse wage across the entire industry was only $26 per hour, $2 below the then-living wage...”

text reading "Make a Pay Equity submission: payequity.org.nz Submissions to The People’s Select Committee close on Monday, 4th of August. Workers First Union has submitted on behalf of our Veterinary Nurse members (link in bio)."

“The combination of poor pay, poor working conditions, and a lack of support led to six resignations within 18 mths at my previous clinic”

We have submitted to the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity, on behalf of our Vet Nurse members.

Make your submission today! Submissions close 5pm Monday.

text reading "WHAT THEY SAID: "It’s all about the people... The relationships we’ve built with our customers, our community, and our team – that's what fills my tank." Tracey Anderson, Owner operator PAK'nSAVE Richmond"

text reading ""They proudly talk about ‘investing in the team’ while they chip away at pay, undermine union rights, and break the law to keep wages low." Ross Lampert, National Organiser Workers First Union"

3/3 "They proudly talk about ‘investing in the team’ while they chip away at pay, undermine union rights, and break the law to keep wages low." - Ross Lampert, National Organiser Workers First Union

2/3 PAK’nSAVE Richmond has a long history of anti-union behaviour.

They have attempted to restrict access for union organisers, are behaving aggressively and hiding workers from having fair representation.

text reading "Kiwis Fleecing Kiwis Why the Foodstuffs model is failing."

1/3 PAK'nSAVE Richmond workers are calling out their bosses after a 6-month bargaining ordeal. The latest pay offer falls well below inflation, a real-terms pay cut for workers who are struggling.

"Customers are always shocked we don’t even get a staff discount, let alone a living wage." - Worker

Christchurch public hospital strike and march info: www.facebook.com/share/1B3zVa...

We're sending solidarity and aroha to #NZNO nurses, midwives and healthcare assistant, who are striking tomorrow for 24 hours from 9am - #WorkersFirst members stand proudly alongside you in your fight for safe staffing and a health system that can deliver the care every patient deserves - Kia kaha!

Women's Day of Action Join us in building a better world

This is not the end of our action!

Communities across Aotearoa will unite for a Women’s Day of Action for Pay Equity on Saturday 20 September - taking place 132 years after New Zealand women secured the right to vote.

Mark your calendar and sign up for updates: www.together.org.nz/women_s_day_...

text reading "93,000+ signatures on the protect pay equity petition. Amazing, Aotearoa!"

On Wednesday, women representing 300,000 workers affected by the Government’s gutting of the pay equity system handed your 93,924-strong petition to parliament.

Thank you @nzctu.bsky.social for organising this petition and, most of all, to all of you for your support and signatures!

Congrats to our bargaining team of Kmart workers for their brilliant efforts at the negotiating table ✊❤️✅

Great news! Kmart workers have signed a new 2-year deal that includes a minimum living wage for all staff after 6 months employment, increasing to the new living wage in 2026, plus union-only bonuses in both years and lots more!

“…it achieves the ambitious trifecta of worsening the long-term health of our economy, exacerbating worker shortages in health, education and other historically female-dominated industries, and embedding unfairness throughout our society.”
Sheryl Cadman, Workers First Central Region Secretary

text reading “77,000 signatures on the Protect Pay Equity petition. Amazing, Aotearoa!”

Ka rawe (amazing), Aotearoa! 77,000 signatures on the Protect Pay Equity petition!

Let’s get it to 100,000! Share the petition with your friends and family and let’s show that we have NOT forgotten how this Govt set women back decades, just to save their budget.

www.together.org.nz/fbt_for_pay_...

Workers absent from government’s AI “strategy” - NZCTU The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned that the artificial intelligence (AI) “strategy” document released today by the Government ignores impacts on working people and r...

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is deeply concerned that the artificial intelligence (AI) “strategy” document released today by the Government ignores impacts on working people.
union.org.nz/workers-abse...

a photo of four people standing on the steps of the new zealand supreme court. three are holding workers first union flags, while the person in the middle has a hand on their hips and is raising a fist skyward. they all look awesome

4/4 *data regarding Uber’s “shifting” of hundreds of million in profits can be found in the recent @cictar.bsky.social Uber report, co-produced by Workers First: cictar.org/all-research...

a photo of a person speaking into a 1news microphone, wearing a workers first union jacket. Text over top reads: “We are now not just fighting against exploitation by Uber, but by our own Government. The world is watching. Dennis Maga, General Secretary Workers First Union”

3/4 “Make no mistake, this is the most significant employment case in recent New Zealand history. No matter what happens, it will have major ramifications for contractors and the gig economy in this country. The world is watching.”
Dennis Maga, Workers First General Secretary

a photo of a crowd of people holding a “uber drivers stand up!” banner, in front of the supreme court. some are holding union flags

2/4 Thank you drivers, supporters, and unions that turned out yesterday. As Uber had their appeal heard, and the Govt plotted to change the law, we let the world know: You can have quarterly bookings of 40+ bil USD, shift hundreds of mil out of Aotearoa, tax-free,* but the people will not lie down.

A photo of nureddin mohamed abdurahman speaking in front of the supreme court, looking incredible in a red suede coat. people in the background are holding workers first union flags

1/4 What does it take to stand up against a multibillion-dollar multinational, that collaborates with your Government to take away your worker’s rights? Just four brave Uber drivers (pictured: Nureddin Abdurahman), an excellent Union legal team, and the support of the people.

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff spoke at the rally for Uber drivers this morning outside the Supreme Court.

🙌 @paramedickiwi.bsky.social 🙌 @btohiariki.bsky.social 🙌 -s

text reading ““The day I had my stroke, paramedics turned up calm like it was just another day. For me, it was the day my life almost ended. To every paramedic, know that you’re someone’s miracle today.” Kelly Higgins, Napier Organiser”

text reading ““Paramedics are some of the most passionate people you will ever meet. Always going the extra mile for patients and their families.” Faye McCan, National Ambulance Coordinator”

text reading ““Paramedics in NZ do an extra-ordinary job. Often working in challenging and remote conditions to provide lifesaving care. Their dedication, skill and quick response make a critical difference in emergencies – serving communities with professionalism, compassion and resilience.” Alan Bain, Southland Organiser”

text reading ““I am in awe of our paramedics, for the time and care they give to everyone who needs it. Thank you guys, you rock!” Diane Riley, Christchurch Organiser”

Today we celebrate International Paramedics Day!

Please take a moment and share your appreciation of these wonderful workers. #unityandcommunity

Nureddin Abdurahman, one of the four drivers who took the original court case against Uber in 2022, spoke outside the Supreme Court this morning.
"We decided that we wanted the same rights as other NZ workers. Is that too much to ask?
We are humans like anyone else."

This week the Supreme Court will hear Uber’s appeal of a 2022 ruling that found 4 of their drivers had been misclassified as contractors. Workers First Uber drivers are holding a rally tomorrow morning—come along to support them before the court case begins.

The 200 million+ is Uber’s “intercompany service fees”, not the tax. But still, the report estimates that taxing these profits locally would have delivered another $56 million in tax revenue. For food and Doctors, as well as the roads, infrastructure and services that Uber relies on to operate! -s