Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The city of Salem, Oregon has settled the claims of five present and former firefighters alleging discrimination under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). All five were members of the Oregon National Guard.
The firefighters alleged systematic discrimination and retaliation over their participation in military trainings and deployments. The department allegedly gave the firefighters negative performance reviews, refused to accommodate scheduling requests, and even terminated two members during probation.
Under the terms of the settlement the City of Salem has agreed to remain under close Federal scrutiny for the next three years. The city must report any further allegations of military discrimination or retaliation to a Federal court judge and the state Department of Justice (DOJ).
The case was settled today, but the city was apparently miffed that the DOJ publically released the details. Here is a city press release on the matter acknowledging that the case was settled but disputing the allegations of wrongdoing. City of Salem Press Release
The settlement ends two Federal lawsuits brought last October by two of the five affected firefighters, Daniel Cleveland and William Anderson. Here is the complaint from the Cleveland suit: Cleveland v Salem. Here is the complaint from the Anderson suit: Anderson v Salem. Both paint a concerning image of the treatment of firefighter-soldiers in the Salem Fire Department.
