Nick Ireland - Usdaw Divisional Officer says: “We are delighted to have supported Mark Drakeford’s election and congratulate him on his victory today. We are confident that he will be an excellent leader and First Minister.
 
“Wales faces some challenging issues, not least because of the uncertainties of Brexit and eight years of Tory austerity. We know that Mark Drakeford will work with the trade unions to deliver for our members and improve Welsh workers’ lives.
 
“We look forward to working with Mark and the deputy leader Carolyn Harris MP. Working as a team they will ensure Wales has strong leadership in the Assembly and a strong campaigning voice in the UK Parliament.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with around 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion