Excerpts from DNAinfo.com:
A group of Latino firefighters are facing a difficult decision as they prepare for their upcoming promotion to lieutenant, which comes with an $18,000 salary increase. While the raise is welcome, many feel it's bittersweet because they believe the promotion was fast-tracked based on their race, not solely on merit.
These firefighters had been waiting for years—six, in fact—since taking the lieutenant exam. They were willing to wait even longer, but according to them, department leadership pressured them into accepting the promotion ahead of colleagues who scored higher on the test. This move has left many feeling disheartened and questioning whether they truly earned their place.
Some of these firefighters had previously turned down race-based promotions twice, choosing instead to uphold their personal pride and avoid the stigma of being seen as less qualified. But when a third offer came around, Cmdr. Monica Porter reportedly made it clear that refusing again would mean no future chances. Faced with this ultimatum, they reluctantly accepted, fearing it could harm their careers and financial stability.
The Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 has raised concerns about the city’s policy of threatening minorities with removal from promotion lists if they refuse affirmative-action opportunities. The union claims that such practices are intimidating and go against efforts to boost diversity in leadership roles.
Last month, the union filed a grievance alleging that minority firefighters are being harassed by personnel officers, forced to sign documents acknowledging their refusal of promotions. They also claim they're told that after three refusals, they'll be removed from the list entirely.
The union’s formal complaint requested that those who signed refusal papers not be penalized, but the request was denied, and the case is now heading to arbitration.
A fire department spokesperson, Larry Langford, defended the practice, stating that the promotions are part of a strategy approved by the U.S. Justice Department to improve diversity in leadership. He emphasized that the department uses a "band" system, grouping candidates with similar test scores and considering race to meet federal requirements.
Currently, only 30% of lieutenants are non-white, despite the city's population being nearly 60% non-white. Langford argues that without such measures, the department risks falling short of its diversity goals.
Firefighters can decline promotions twice before being removed from the list. However, the six-month grace period for postponing a promotion was recently eliminated, as the department aims to prevent employees from avoiding certain roles indefinitely.
Engine 116 Capt. Mauricio Rodriguez, who has refused several race-based promotions over the years, criticized the new policy, calling it discriminatory. He received a letter from former Fire Commissioner Ray Orozco stating that his waivers were for internal tracking and that he wouldn’t be removed from the list.
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