December 23rd 2024.
In a much-anticipated ruling, Manhattan U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres granted preliminary approval for a $29.2 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination within the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). This lawsuit was brought by fire protection inspectors and their union, Local 2507, against the City of New York in 2020.
According to a press release from Local 2507, the lawsuit centered around a significant pay disparity for these inspectors, who are predominantly Black or people of color. The union noted that these inspectors earn an average of $9,000 less than their counterparts in the Department of Buildings, a department that is mostly made up of white employees.
Oren Barzilay, the president of Local 2507, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it was the culmination of a long-standing battle for fair pay. He emphasized that their members have been fighting against inequality and mistreatment within the FDNY for decades and this settlement is a step towards correcting that injustice.
As per the agreement, each affected inspector will receive an average of $35,000 in compensation. However, a smaller group of inspectors will only receive an average of $5,000 due to being part of a separate pay adjustment class. The deadline for inspectors to voice any objections to the settlement or to opt-out of the class action suit is Valentine's Day.
A final approval hearing is scheduled for March 17, and if successful, the payments will be dispersed to both groups in Fall 2025. The City of New York's Law Department released a statement expressing their satisfaction with the court's preliminary approval of the settlement. They also reiterated their stance against all forms of discrimination, including unintentional bias, and stressed the crucial role that fire protection inspectors play in keeping the city safe.
However, Barzilay also highlighted that this same pay discrepancy is an ongoing issue for EMS workers in the city. He noted that these workers, who put their lives on the line every day to care for New Yorkers, are not compensated at the same level as other first responders such as firefighters, police officers, and sanitation workers.
In light of this, he urged the city to address this disparity and treat EMS workers with the same value and respect as their counterparts in other departments. This issue hits close to home for Barzilay, as a fellow first responder, a 36-year-old firefighter, tragically passed away from a heart attack after being laid off during budget cuts in the midst of the migrant crisis. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of fair pay and treatment for all first responders.
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