A cardiac nurse who works at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital has been appointed president of public services union UNISON.
Libby Nolan was elected to lead the union for 2023 at its recent national conference in Liverpool.
The mum-of-four has been at Morriston for more than 20 years and trained as a nurse in 1983 before becoming a union shop steward in the same year.
Libby said: “I’ve always believed staying on the shop floor keeps you close to members.
“Now more than ever we must grow our roots in workplaces building activism and organising, so our power is heard and realised.
“UNISON is a member led union from the shop floor to the politician’s door.”
Libby said she is keen to meet as many members as possible and hear their stories and added: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been elected president this year and my promise to Wales is I will carry Wales in my heart throughout this year.
“I’m keen to build on the work of UNISON’s year of Black workers and, as we move into 2024 which will be the year of LGBT+ workers, it is important it’s a successful year leaving a strong legacy.”
Libby has also worked as an intensive care nurse in various hospitals and said: “I’m still easy to find in work and despite the presidential work I want to be easily accessible.”
UNISON Cymru/Wales regional secretary Dominic MacAskill said: “Libby will be a fantastic president for UNISON and has always been a strong and determined voice for the workers she represents.
“The cost-of-living crisis is worsening by the day and hundreds of thousands of staff providing vital public services and struggling to make ends meet need a voice like Libby’s to champion their fight for fair pay and conditions.
“I wish our new president every success in her new role.”
