Philadelphia Black Firefighter Group Files Suit Against Firefighter Union

PHILADELPHIA - An organization of black firefighters has filed suit in federal court accusing the Philadelphia firefighters union of harassment and abuse against blacks.

The suit says leadership of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' Union Local 22 is dominated by members of a predominantly white firefighters group. It cites a December proposal to eliminate "any and all quota-based hiring practices." The group's president says the proposal was later dropped.

The suit asks a federal judge to appoint a civil rights monitor until the union is no longer "racially hostile."

Local 22 president Bill Gault said the allegation of racism "completely not true."

The suit says blacks make up 45 percent of the city's population but just 27 percent of the fire department.
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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.philly.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 13, 2009 at 1:10pm

Sounds like a nice mess in Philly and I know there are two sides to each story, but some things stick out to me here.

The suit says leadership of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters' Union Local 22 is dominated by members of a predominantly white firefighters group.

OK, so are all firefighters members of Local 22 and then they further have their sub groups like the Club Valiants which Mr Greene represents? The second news clip refers to the fact that there is one black employee of Local 22 and he is a janitor. Is he part of the FD or just working for the local? So do all these individual groups negotiate their own contracts or is this done through Local 22?

See here is the issue I see here. If complaining about the leadership being held by predominately white firefighters, then why not run for such positions? In the second clip Mr. Greene states he is the only black man that attends a union meeting and he is doing so to get information for his group. I see that as not being concerned about union issues, just what he wants to bring to his group. So my question is, why have these two seperate meetings then, if all firefighters are members, then why not have all members of the Club Valiants show up and stack a meeting? It may be easy to shut one voice down, but more difficult to silence all. Every union member has a right to be heard, but it is hard to be heard when you don't show up. Having seperate groups really does nothing for solidarity.

It cites a December proposal to eliminate "any and all quota-based hiring practices." The group's president says the proposal was later dropped.

So how is hiring the best and most qualified person discrimination? I have tested for many places and by far the easiest written tests I have ever taken were the bigger cities where there are more diversity issues. One of the easiest written tests I ever took was for FDNY (IMO), so it really makes me wonder why there are claims of such discrimination? If you can't pass such a test, then you do not deserve to be on the fire department. If you can't pass the physical agility test, then you don't deserve to be on the fire department. Training academies only get tougher as time goes on, why should people who score lower or less in shape be given positions and perhaps wash out, thus taking a spot from someone perhaps more qualified?

I know the union president dropped the proposal, but seriously, why rely on such policies? If you want the job, be the best. Score the highest, be in shape to pass the PAT, make yourself standout.