Boston Ordered to Hire White Firefighters

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

(6:47 AM ET)

The Associated Press

An NAACP lawyer questioned the decision. ``If a return to normal means a return to the way the Boston Fire Department conducted its hiring prior to the mid-1970s, it will be a disaster for any applicants of color in this city,'' Toni Wolfman said.

BOSTON -- AP
Four white men passed over for firefighting jobs in favor of minority candidates who scored lower on civil service tests must be hired as soon as possible, a federal judge has ruled.

The men had sued the Boston Fire Department for discrimination. They must also be awarded back pay and seniority they would have earned since October 2000, the date they were denied employment, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Stearns ordered Monday.

A fifth plaintiff who was hired last October also will get a pay raise under the ruling.

``I think hopefully we're just going back to normal, the way it was meant to be, so that now they are just hiring the best person, regardless of race or color,'' said Harold Lichten, the attorney for all five men.

The city is exploring its options, officials said.
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2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan