Federal Investigation of Gender and Race Issues Needed
http://www.aframnews.com/html/interspire/articles/725/1/Federal-Investigation-of-Gender-and-Race-Issues-Needed/Page1.html
Jolanda Jones
By Jolanda Jones
Published on 08/3/2009
I am concerned that there may be pervasive and systematic discrimination within the Houston Fire Department. Does that mean every firefighter is a racist or sexist? No.
What it does mean is that no firefighter should be discriminated against for gender or race and so long as discrimination based on either of these constitutionally protected categories is allowed against any one firefighter, I will fight to end this discrimination. In other words, this is not a fight against the entirety of HFD but it is a fight to eradicate all sexism and racism and facilitators of such within HFD. To that end, all racists, sexists and facilitators beware.
What it does mean is that no firefighter should be discriminated against for gender or race and so long as discrimination based on either of these constitutionally protected categories is allowed against any one firefighter, I will fight to end this discrimination. In other words, this is not a fight against the entirety of HFD but it is a fight to eradicate all sexism and racism and facilitators of such within HFD. To that end, all racists, sexists and facilitators beware.
I am concerned that there may be pervasive and systematic discrimination within the Houston Fire Department. Does that mean every firefighter is a racist or sexist? No.
What it does mean is that no firefighter should be discriminated against for gender or race and so long as discrimination based on either of these constitutionally protected categories is allowed against any one firefighter, I will fight to end this discrimination. In other words, this is not a fight against the entirety of HFD but it is a fight to eradicate all sexism and racism and facilitators of such within HFD. To that end, all racists, sexists and facilitators beware.
At present, there is a specific investigation going on by the City of Houston’s Office of Inspector General; however, I have no confidence that a thorough and just internal investigation by the City or any firm it hires is sufficient to vet these allegation(s)/crime(s) truthfully based on information received by the At Large 5 office. People are entitled to non-hostile work environments as well as being protected from crimes, especially within governmental entities. I want to do my part as an elected official, to ensure that a fair and honest investigation takes place related to the specific allegations related to Firefighters Paula Keyes and Jane Draycott.
I have reason to believe these latest allegations are retaliation based on the previous complaints.
On July 7, Draycott and Keyes went to work at Fire Station 54 and found racist and sexist graffiti on the walls in their living area and on their personal belongings. After notifying the department about the vandalism, they told their story publicly. Many current and former firefighters have come forward to share their stories about discriminatory practices.
The stories lead to only one conclusion: there is widespread gender and race discrimination in the department and, equally widespread retaliation against the men and women who are brave enough to complain about it. The constant refrain is reflected in (1) openly hostile working environments, (2) discrimination in assignment of transfers, (3) discrimination in the assignment of overtime, and, most disturbingly, (4) a grievance process that is utterly broken.
They say the problems result from racism and sexism that is reinforced at the highest levels of the department. The following examples are just a few of the many issues firefighters have raised – not only recently, but for many years with no response from HFD or the City of Houston.
Grievances and Retaliation
Virtually every firefighter has stated that he or she encountered severe retaliation for filing complaints with either HFD’s internal grievance office or the EEOC. In fact, the graffiti directed at Draycott and Keyes showed up afterDraycott filed a complaint with Staff Services. Per current and former firefighters, retaliation against women and minority firefighters includes verbal harassment; physical intimidation; destruction of personal property including clothing, photos, and equipment; urination on clothing and in women’s dorms; taunting and abusive language; shunning; forced sexual contact; and blocking transfers to other stations.
Certain captains order their subordinates to “write up” every conceivable incident that could result in discipline for particular firefighters after they have filed grievances. Even worse, before HFD would investigate their complaints of discrimination, HFD insisted that Keyes and Draycott take polygraph examinations. Techniques used discourage all but the most courageous from complaining about discrimination.
Moreover I learned that the department has suspended the regular grievance process after a firefighter filed an EEOC charge of discrimination, effectively giving those who harassed the firefighter a license to continue for years without any repercussions. Denying an employee the right to a benefit he/she is entitled to because he/she has filed an EEOC charge is illegal.
Open Hostility
Many women and men have stated that the environment was openly hostile toward them from the moment they arrived at the HFD Academy (“Academy”). Recently, there was an incident where a cadet was investigated for tying a noose around a Gatorade bottle and pointing it at an African-American classmate. Although HFD said it would fire the cadet, he instead was allowed to resign and he enrolled in the Academy again within the year.
If all goes well for him, he will be a full-fledged firefighter this August. I have been told that cadets at the Academy have been told that women are not liked and are not wanted.
Several women have stated that their male colleagues refused to train them on the equipment they needed to learn how to use to finish their probationary or “rookie” year and become firefighters.
Several women said that men refused to show them how to use equipment, but they showed men how to do so. Many women reported that they were required to take tests that men were not required to take. Firefighters also complained of being involuntarily medically separated based on race and gender.
There are also suggestions that the testing process is flawed – and that some men are given the tests in advance. Some firefighters have reported that men are given time before tests to study and women are assigned to tasks, like cleaning, and are not given the same time to study.
Several women reported that their male colleagues have harassed them at the scene of a fire, interfering with their equipment, including air tanks and face masks during a fire. End pt. 1.
From the left: Lisa Rodriquez, Shelby Stewart, Deric Muhammad, Otis Jordan and Livingston Hampton lead a rally for justice in front of City Hall last week in support of HFD personnel who have complained of racial and sex discrimination.
Photo by E.C. Davis
What it does mean is that no firefighter should be discriminated against for gender or race and so long as discrimination based on either of these constitutionally protected categories is allowed against any one firefighter, I will fight to end this discrimination. In other words, this is not a fight against the entirety of HFD but it is a fight to eradicate all sexism and racism and facilitators of such within HFD. To that end, all racists, sexists and facilitators beware.
At present, there is a specific investigation going on by the City of Houston’s Office of Inspector General; however, I have no confidence that a thorough and just internal investigation by the City or any firm it hires is sufficient to vet these allegation(s)/crime(s) truthfully based on information received by the At Large 5 office. People are entitled to non-hostile work environments as well as being protected from crimes, especially within governmental entities. I want to do my part as an elected official, to ensure that a fair and honest investigation takes place related to the specific allegations related to Firefighters Paula Keyes and Jane Draycott.
I have reason to believe these latest allegations are retaliation based on the previous complaints.
On July 7, Draycott and Keyes went to work at Fire Station 54 and found racist and sexist graffiti on the walls in their living area and on their personal belongings. After notifying the department about the vandalism, they told their story publicly. Many current and former firefighters have come forward to share their stories about discriminatory practices.
The stories lead to only one conclusion: there is widespread gender and race discrimination in the department and, equally widespread retaliation against the men and women who are brave enough to complain about it. The constant refrain is reflected in (1) openly hostile working environments, (2) discrimination in assignment of transfers, (3) discrimination in the assignment of overtime, and, most disturbingly, (4) a grievance process that is utterly broken.
They say the problems result from racism and sexism that is reinforced at the highest levels of the department. The following examples are just a few of the many issues firefighters have raised – not only recently, but for many years with no response from HFD or the City of Houston.
Grievances and Retaliation
Virtually every firefighter has stated that he or she encountered severe retaliation for filing complaints with either HFD’s internal grievance office or the EEOC. In fact, the graffiti directed at Draycott and Keyes showed up afterDraycott filed a complaint with Staff Services. Per current and former firefighters, retaliation against women and minority firefighters includes verbal harassment; physical intimidation; destruction of personal property including clothing, photos, and equipment; urination on clothing and in women’s dorms; taunting and abusive language; shunning; forced sexual contact; and blocking transfers to other stations.
Certain captains order their subordinates to “write up” every conceivable incident that could result in discipline for particular firefighters after they have filed grievances. Even worse, before HFD would investigate their complaints of discrimination, HFD insisted that Keyes and Draycott take polygraph examinations. Techniques used discourage all but the most courageous from complaining about discrimination.
Moreover I learned that the department has suspended the regular grievance process after a firefighter filed an EEOC charge of discrimination, effectively giving those who harassed the firefighter a license to continue for years without any repercussions. Denying an employee the right to a benefit he/she is entitled to because he/she has filed an EEOC charge is illegal.
Open Hostility
Many women and men have stated that the environment was openly hostile toward them from the moment they arrived at the HFD Academy (“Academy”). Recently, there was an incident where a cadet was investigated for tying a noose around a Gatorade bottle and pointing it at an African-American classmate. Although HFD said it would fire the cadet, he instead was allowed to resign and he enrolled in the Academy again within the year.
If all goes well for him, he will be a full-fledged firefighter this August. I have been told that cadets at the Academy have been told that women are not liked and are not wanted.
Several women have stated that their male colleagues refused to train them on the equipment they needed to learn how to use to finish their probationary or “rookie” year and become firefighters.
Several women said that men refused to show them how to use equipment, but they showed men how to do so. Many women reported that they were required to take tests that men were not required to take. Firefighters also complained of being involuntarily medically separated based on race and gender.
There are also suggestions that the testing process is flawed – and that some men are given the tests in advance. Some firefighters have reported that men are given time before tests to study and women are assigned to tasks, like cleaning, and are not given the same time to study.
Several women reported that their male colleagues have harassed them at the scene of a fire, interfering with their equipment, including air tanks and face masks during a fire. End pt. 1.
From the left: Lisa Rodriquez, Shelby Stewart, Deric Muhammad, Otis Jordan and Livingston Hampton lead a rally for justice in front of City Hall last week in support of HFD personnel who have complained of racial and sex discrimination.
Photo by E.C. Davis