Tag Archives: N-Word

Massachusetts Firefighter Files Race Discrimination Suit

A veteran Massachusetts firefighter is suing his department for disparate treatment-race discrimination, retaliation, and a racially hostile work environment. Lee Gilliam filed suit this week in Middlesex County Superior Court naming the City of Newton and the Newton Fire Department as defendants.

Use of Racial Slur Warrants Termination of Boston Jake

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld the termination of a Boston firefighter for his use of the N-word in the firehouse while off-duty. Gregory R. LaVallee, a 14-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, was terminated on March 15, 2019 over an incident that occurred on December 13, 2018.

Kansas City Firefighter Not Guilty in Spitting Incident

A Kansas City, Missouri firefighter who was accused of spitting on an African American child in a Hooters restaurant in a highly publicized case, has been found not guilty on all charges. Terrence Skeen was originally charged with assault, battery and disorderly conduct following the incident in Overland Park, Kansas.

Massachusetts Firefighter’s Case Returned to Civil Service Commission For Reconsideration

A Brookline firefighter has prevailed in his appeal of a Massachusetts Civil Service Commission decision that upheld his 2016 termination. Gerald Alston was fired in 2016 after years of efforts to address his workplace behavior failed.

Pennsylvania Chief Who Directed Racial Slur At Steelers Coach Resigns

A Pennsylvania fire chief who use a racial slur in a Facebook post directed at Pittsburg Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin over his team's handling of the NFL National Anthem protest, has resigned. Fire Chief Paul Smith stepped down from the Muse Volunteer Fire Company today following outrage over his post on Sunday.

Michigan Firefighter is the Latest Cybercasualty

A Michigan firefighter has been terminated over racially charged comments he posted on Facebook. Ryan Hudson, 40, of the Belding Fire Department, was fired yesterday for comments he posted in reply to a post that supported San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback ...

Find Something To Charge Them With

Trenton firefighters union president Wayne Wolk has accused Fire Director Qareeb Bashir of demanding that a deputy chief “find something” to charge two fire officers with in the aftermath of a bizarre retaliation suit. According to NJ.com, that officer, Deputy Chief Robert Tharp, has opted to resign rather than carry out the Director’s order.

Trenton Fire Hit for $500K in Retaliation Suit

Former Trenton firefighter Jesse Diaz has been awarded $500,000 in his retaliation lawsuit against the city and several fire officers. Dias alleges that after he reported a white firefighter for using the N-word he became the target of several ranking officers.

Kentucky Fire Department Accused of Religious and Sexual Discrimination

A Kentucky firefighter who resigned last May has filed suit claiming that he was subjected to a sexually and religiously hostile work-environment by colleagues and superiors. Jeffrey Queen claims he was constructively terminated from the Bowling Green Fire Department due to ongoing harassment and retaliation.

Pennsylvania Fire Company Sued for Race Discrimination

A former Pennsylvania fire captain has filed suit against a fire department claiming race discrimination and harassment. Tarence Mosey filed suit this week against Logan Township United Fire Department accusing its members and its leadership of an assortment of racially offensive and discriminatory acts...

NY Assistant Chief Prevails on Due Process Challenge to His Dismissal

A federal judge has ruled that a NY fire district violated the due process rights of a volunteer assistant chief by terminating him in 2013 without notice and a hearing. William J. Ratajack Jr. was terminated from the Brewster Fire Department and the Brewster-Southeast Joint Fire District in part for directing the "N-word" at two white subordinates.

Discipline Over The Use of the N-Word

Today’s burning question: Should the penalty for a firefighter who uses the N-word be termination? Answer: I am not sure that question can be answered in the abstract, given all the possible variables. Was the statement made while the member was on-duty or off-duty; in what context was the term used (hate-filled threat, quoting another person, said in jest)...

Kentucky Fire Department Sues Fire District

An embattled Kentucky fire department is in the news again, this time because it is suing its fire district because the district voided its service agreement and solicited bids for a new provider. The Southeast Bullitt Fire and Rescue Department has filed suit against the Southeast Bullitt Fire Protection District claiming the district improperly voided a contract with the department

Use of N-Word Leads to Suspension in Florida

Today’s burning question: I am an African American firefighter. I used the N… word in a meeting and a coworker reported me to the fire chief. Could I be in trouble? I mean, its not like I was using it ...