Long time AFT New Jersey Staff Representative Fougeres Ferrier retired last month after many decades building new locals, negotiating contracts and working on member grievances. Ferrier taught in Chicago Public Schools before joining AFT as a national representative and coming to New Jersey in 1979.
In December 1992, Ferrier left the federation employ to pursue a private business venture in his native Haiti, but continued to consult with several locals. New Jersey State Federation of Teachers (NJSFT, before it became AFTNJ) President Anna Sciacca knew Ferrier from his work with her Garfield local and asked him to return full time in July 2005.
In recent years, Ferrier represented many of the southern New Jersey Pre-K to 12 locals as well as, private, religious schools and three units at Mercer County Community College. He served a steward for OPEIU Local 32. Colleagues and members he worked with will miss his ready wit and good humor.
“I leave this position with sadness but with a sure belief that I have used the opportunities offered to me to help improve the working conditions of AFT members in all the locals I have been assigned to represent,” said Ferrier. “It is my hope that what I have accomplished in this endeavor will benefit members for years to come.”
“Being a staff representative in today’s environment is no easy task, but ‘Fougy’ brought a wealth of experience to the table,” said AFT New Jersey President Donna M. Chiera. “During his time, locals he worked with saw dramatic improvements. Fougy’s efforts at the bargaining table in Perth Amboy in the early 1980’s won outstanding provisions for non-teaching staff in the district so our members are among the many who owe him a debt of gratitude.”