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Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

Thanks to @nzeiteriuroa.bsky.social for this #nzpol story:

OIA docs reveal the Dept of Internal Affairs flagged PSC social media ads about the 23 Oct strike, warning they likely breach the PSC’s own neutrality guidelines of “impartial and politically neutral content”: tinyurl.com/publicservic...

www.publicservice.govt.nz

January 15, 2026 at 1:44 AM

Reposted by Workers First Union

Craig Renney

@clrenney.bsky.social

#nzpol Today the government announced that the minimum wage will rise by 2% in April 2026. On current forecasts this will represent the 3rd successive year in which minimum wage workers will face a real terms cut in pay. Over 3 years full time workers are $4,184 worse off. A 🧵

December 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM

Reposted by Workers First Union

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

@nzctu.bsky.social

#nzpol Workers in this country are constantly on the job. It's time for a right to switch off law in New Zealand.

A Legislative Right to Switch-Off

Reimagining Aotearoa Together

www.reimagineaotearoa.nz

January 14, 2026 at 8:51 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

You're not alone!

30,000+ Workers First union colleagues stand with you, and behind us again stand 350,000+ members from the wider @nzctu.bsky.social Aotearoa union movement.

Those in power fear us and it's because we KICK ASS when we stand together 💪

an image of a large imposing figure behind a desk, wearing a tie. they are casting a dark shadow across a lone small figure in the foreground, standing in front of the desk.

an image of a very small figure and desk, with a dark shadow around them. in the foreground is a large group of people, facing the desk.
text reads "you won't face 2026 alone"

January 14, 2026 at 2:40 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/4) #takethepowerback 5 - Addressing tech ‘disruption’

Many new industrial issues are emerging around how technology is used in workplaces, how it can disrupt employment law and regulatory oversight, and how it can undermine workers’ rights.

Full paper: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th... #nzpol

heavily stylised text reading "Addressing tech ‘disruption’", in red.
text reading "5. Addressing tech ‘disruption’"

January 13, 2026 at 4:01 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/5) #takethepowerback 4 - Improving supply chains

In 2022 around 10% of our imports were linked to forced labour or child labour, with the average household spending around $77 per week on these items. Let’s end our role in forced labour.

Full paper: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th... #nzpol

heavily stylised text reading "Improving supply chains", in red.
text reading "4. Improving supply chains"

January 13, 2026 at 3:52 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/5) #takethepowerback 3 - Supporting strike action

Stronger strike rights and paid civic participation will make it easier for workers to stand up for fair conditions and stay involved in the decisions that shape their lives and our society.

Full paper: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th... #nzpol

heavily stylised text reading "Supporting strike action", in red.
text reading "3. Supporting strike action"

January 13, 2026 at 3:24 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/5) #takethepowerback 2 - Building economic democracy

Our political system is largely democratic, our workplaces are not. We want Kiwis to have more decision-making power in their workplace and industry.

Full paper: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th... #nzpol

heavily stylised text reading "Building economic democracy", in red.
text reading "2. Building economic democracy"

January 13, 2026 at 12:19 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/5) #takethepowerback 1 - Strengthening good faith bargaining

NZ’s collective bargaining system makes it easy for employers to negotiate in bad faith. It’s one of the few systems among similar countries that only bargains at workplace-level.

Full paper: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th... #nzpol

heavily stylised text reading "strengthening good faith bargaining", in red.
text reading "1. strengthening good faith bargaining"

January 12, 2026 at 11:40 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

1/2 #Woolworths has ruined Christmas for many of their Customer Care Centre workers by locking them out without pay just before Christmas.

These are not minor changes. Working both weekend days, shift changes on short notice, and having to go on-site in Auckland - all at the companies discretion.

text reading "Woolworths leaves workers without pay, at Christmas.
Woolworths locked out customer care centre workers, leaving them and their familes without their pay at Christmas time.
All because these workers don't want their existing conditions worsened."

text reading "“December is already hard for everyone.
Woolworths’ two days lockout has significantly increased the mental and financial stresses on our families.”
Woolworths Customer Care Centre worker"

text reading "“I'm a single mother with three children.
I signed up for this job as remote working and the hours of work that works for my family.
My life is arranged around my permanent work hours.”
Woolworths Customer Care Centre worker"

December 23, 2025 at 11:21 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

Although it doesn't affect our retail membership, we're dismayed to learn about claims of outsourcing positions in the Warehouse Group head office.

Rudd Hughes, Workers First Deputy Secretary, talks to Aimee Shaw in this article in The Post (subscription required):
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...

a screenshot of an article in 'The Post' by Aimee Shaw, on December 20 2025. The only other text is the headline which reads "Claims offshore outsourcing to ripple through the ranks at The Warehouse Group"

December 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/3) UPDATE: Woolworths Customer Care centre workers have been LOCKED OUT by the company until Saturday night as retaliation for their 3-hour strike action this morning. We need your help!

December 19, 2025 at 4:26 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

1/6 With the holidays approaching at speed of gingerbread, there are some important things for you to know about working the holidays.

text reading "Working over the holidays.
What you need to know."

December 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

Families fight to put food on the table. Meanwhile the ACT Party and Coalition Government spent $150,000 on a 'Road Cone hotline'.

Closing after 6 months & 200 cones removed, costing Kiwis ~$750 per cone (and they gutted Worksafe - putting real lives at risk!)

We too wish this was satire ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Photos of ACT politians brooke van velden and david seymour, with roadcones put on their heads in a cartoonish style. Money notes are flying around under them in the same style.

Text underneath reads "they spent $150,000 of your money to remove 200 road cones."

December 17, 2025 at 4:04 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

1/3 Woolworths Customer Care Call Centre workers have voted to take strike action ahead of Christmas, starting today (15 December).

These workers assist with online ordes and logistics, customer complaints and refunds, and queries about ‘Everyday Rewards’. Potential future actions are on the table.

text reading "Woolworths Customer Care Call Centre workers have begun strike actions today."

text reading "Workers First Union members at Woolworths Customer Care Call Centre have voted to take strike action ahead of Christmas.
They have cited low pay, "clawbacks" reductions to existing conditions), potential future outsourcing and reneging on ‘work from home’ policies as roadblocks to a new deal with the Australian supermarket chain."

text reading ""We aren’t going to return to the table and negotiate with a brick wall for another two months while Woolworths pretend all is well and workers should do more with less and kill their hopes for a better future."
Elle Sun-Min Park
Workers First Union organiser"

December 15, 2025 at 12:26 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

For Workers First members only: The Northern Drivers’ Charitable Trust annual skills & training/retraining scholarship application is now open!

Applications are also open to WF family members, so let your whānau know.

Full regulations and the application form available online: driverstrust.org.nz

December 11, 2025 at 2:52 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

#Uber drivers took Uber to Court and WON!

You may be owed backpay for lost wages, holiday pay and other entitlements. If you have been driving for six years or longer you need to sign up NOW, or you may lose back pay.

Join: www.workersfirst.nz/uber/
FAQ: www.workersfirst.nz/uber/faq-ube...

text reading "Uber drivers.
It's time to join the union or risk missing out on backpay.
workersfirst.nz/uber"

December 8, 2025 at 3:19 AM

Reposted by Workers First Union

350 Aotearoa

@350nz.bsky.social

A broad array of organisations have launched an open letter, urging the government not to proceed with taxpayer subsidies for an LNG import terminal.

Check out the full letter:
350.org.nz/lng-open-let...

December 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

(1/3) 8 things Workers First members have won by bargaining at Bunnings!

A illustration of a person in a Bunnings-like uniform, and the text "8 things Workers First union members have won by bargaining at: Bunnings."

The text "1. Better pay. Every year we bargain to improve your pay rates! We have now achieved a minimum starting rate of $26, all the way up to a minimum of $31.50 for Pay Band 3."
A sticker style piece of text next to it reads "improved this year by union bargaining!"

The text "2. Protected hours. You have better protection against changes to your roster - hours can no longer be reduced withour your agreement."
A sticker style piece of text next to it reads "better protection for union members"

December 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

Amazing delegates, from just some of the Regional Delegates Conferences that we held across the motu over the last two weeks.

These incredible people MAKE WORK BETTER! We couldn't do it without them.

A photo of a large group of amazing Workers First Union delegates and staff looking up at the camera, a lot with their fists raised, all looking chuffed

A group of four amazing Workers First Union delegates looking chuffed and cool as heck, some holding 'Take the Power Back' policy booklets

Two amazing Workers First Union delegates looking chuffed and cool as heck, holding a 'Take the Power Back' policy booklets and a 2024-2025 union annual report

December 2, 2025 at 11:19 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

The Grinch of the Year award 2025, delivered!

Un-gratulations to Pak'nSave Richmond, who have raised prices over and above inflation while offering an effective pay cut for their workers.

We call on the public to boycott this store in December and support other Supermarkets in the area.

a photo of a group of people in front of Pak'nSave Richmond, with a oversize voucher saying "Grinch of the Year, Richmond Pak'nSave". The people are holding Workers First Union flags.

A photo inside Pak'nSave Richmond of a not-very-happy-looking man holding an oversize voucher saying "Grinch of the Year, Richmond Pak'nSave", walking away from the camera. In the background are shoppers and a 'proudly NZ owned' sign that is probably feeling pretty embarrassed about all this

December 1, 2025 at 4:56 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

We have awarded Richmond Pak‘nSave with the Grinch of the Year Award! And are calling on the community to boycott them this December.

Please support other local alternatives:
- Woolworths Richmond (144 Salisbury Road, Richmond)
- Connings Food Market (151 McShane Road, Appleby)

Merry Grinchmas!

An image of the grinch, holding box with a christmas tree and a sign saying "low wages no benefits"

Text reads "Grinch of the year!
Boycott Pak‘nSave Richmond this Xmas.
Workers are asking you to do your shopping elsewhere this December."

November 30, 2025 at 8:19 PM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

RADICAL IDEAS FOR RADICAL PROBLEMS

Our new policy paper, Take the Power Back, is live: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th...

#nzpol #takethepowerback

heavily stylised text reading "take the power back", in red.
a grainy image of a loudspeaker or a spotlight on a pole is in the background, in black and white.

red text reading "we offer radical solutions for radical problems"
and "read the paper at workersfirst.nz" with a qr code that leads to https://www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-the-power-back

red text reading "we challenge you to imagine a better world for workers"
and "Take the Power back is an unashamed attempt to outline what true pro-worker political policy might look like."

November 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM

Workers First Union

@workersfirstunion.bsky.social

Great interview with Lalogafau Mea'ole Keil', one of the four Uber drivers in the landmark Uber case. Mana like you wouldn't believe.

pmn.co.nz/read/law-and... #uber