Longtime head of Jersey City teachers union stepping down after 57 years with district

May 11, 2012, 5:23 PM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

Tom Favia, president of the 4,000-strong Jersey City Education Association and famed boys basketball coach, is retiring at the end of the summer, after nearly 60 years with the school district and more than 20 years as head of the powerful union.

Favia, 81, said he has "home problems," including an ill wife, that are demanding more of his time than he can provide while still working. He earns $110,375 as head of the union, state records show.

"And I guess after 57 years they're about ready to get rid of me anyway," he said in a phone interview this afternoon.
The gruff Favia started with the district in 1957, teaching history at School 39 for 10 years and then at Ferris High School, where he was the boys varsity basketball coach. He liked to say he was the only coach with a winning record against St. Anthony head coach Bob Hurley.

For 22 years, he's been the chief of the JCEA, the powerful teachers union, where he's been tapped as president in 11 consecutive elections. He's beloved by teachers districtwide, evident by the thunderous ovations he receives from teachers when he speaks on their behalf to the Jersey City Board of Education.

Favia is "a legend," said Bill DeRosa, retired teacher and former BOE president.

"He's been there forever," DeRosa said. "Over the years, he did a lot for teachers, believe me."

Favia landed in hot water in 2007 when The Jersey Journal reported that he ran a private travel agency out of the JCEA's Kennedy Boulevard offices, and used union secretaries to field calls for the agency.

Gerry McCann, at that time a BOE member, called Favia's actions "criminal," but Favia insisted he reimbursed the JCEA for any union resources used by his side business.

Favia today said he hopes for a union election on June 13, where he said Ronald Greco, his second-in-command, will vie for president with city teacher Hector Gonzalez.

He said he regrets not being able to stay for the upcoming round of contract negotiations.

"I think they're going to be very difficult," he said.

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