THE Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (BFAWU) has elected its first ever female leader.

Sarah Woolley was voted in as general secretary, and will take over from current post holder Ronnie Draper from July 1 2020.

Ms Woolley said: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last few weeks and thank you everyone who has taken the time to vote.

“I think today will be the longest day in the world.”

Welcoming Ms Woolley in the role, the Morning Star said in a statement that it is “thrilled” by the result.

The statement reads: “Coming on the day the union announces its biggest wave of fast food strikes yet, this confirms the BFAWU’s direction as a fighting union that wins in the workplace and is challenging the poverty and insecurity that blight the lives of millions of people trapped in precarious jobs.

“The Morning Star is proud of the close relationship we have built with the BFAWU under Ronnie Draper and looks forward to working with Sarah to advance workers’ rights everywhere.