After a decade of organizing at Rutgers, bargaining contracts on behalf of his colleagues and collaborating on grievances, Richard Gomes started as a staff representative for AFT New Jersey last week.
Gomes started teaching at Rutgers in 2006, joined the union and became active with the local’s executive board in 2007. He has served in leadership positions of both the Rutgers AAUP-AFT’s Non-Tenure Track and Part-Time Lecturer (adjunct) groups and as a Vice President of AFTNJ Higher Education.
AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera worked with Gomes and staff representatives Thomas Peretti and Joanna McAvoy to evaluate which representative is assigned to which local and make some adjustments. “Richard has a very upbeat personality and brings a great energy to our staff,” Chiera said.
Gomes replaces long-time staff representative Fougeres Ferrier who retired in December.
