HOUSTON (AP) — A more than $300,000 settlement has been proposed for seven black firefighters in Houston who claimed racial discrimination.
The measure was scheduled to go before the Houston
City Council on Wednesday.
The Houston Chronicle reports seven firefighters
passed exams for captain or senior captain in 2006, but many white firefighters
scored higher. Because promotions were awarded to candidates with the highest
scores, the seven did not make the cut. Three of the seven have since retired.
The settlement of the 2008 lawsuit includes cash
and promotions.
City Attorney David Feldman says the settlement
does not acknowledge wrongdoing by Houston. Feldman says the department this
year will begin using a new exam, to make sure it does not produce results
related to the race or ethnicity of firefighters.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
