City Council Consent Decree Vote Result

May 20, 2014

Although we are disappointed with the Council and their vote last Thursday to approve the DOJ consent decree, this outcome was not unexpected. It was an epic night and the most gratifying day I have experienced since being elected President of the Austin Firefighters Association. 300 firefighters stood in unity against the Austin City Manager’s office and Fire Chief’s attempt to encourage the DOJ to obtain a consent decree on the best hiring process in AFD history. We stood up for the principled stance that a hiring process that selects future firefighters needs to be meritorious while being fair and inclusive to all.

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New proposed deal could resume AFD firefighter hiring

May 9, 2014

KXAN

By: Robert Maxwell

Firefighter cadet candidates waiting more than a year to be hired due to a legal tangle between city hall and the federal government could soon see relief. While the union that represents firefighters also wants to see new hires, it wants a modified solution at the local level.

That relief hinges on an agreement that addresses discrimination issues in Austin’s Fire Department hiring process. The proposal is on the newest draft agenda for the May 15 full council meeting.

Read the full story here.

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Calling all AFD candidates from 2012 & 2013 hiring processes, this meeting is for you!

May 8, 2014

What: AFD 2012 & 2013 Candidate Info Session

When: Tuesday May 13, 6pm - 7:30pm

Where: Austin Firefighters Association, 7537 Cameron Rd. Austin, TX 78752

RSVP

This is an educational meeting for AFD Candidates from the 2012 and 2013 Hiring Processes. AFA personnel will be available to provide candidates from the 2012 and 2013 hiring processes with the most up-to-date information and help answer their questions.

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Despite settlement, city and firefighters remain at odds over hiring

May 8, 2014

Despite settlement, city and firefighters remain at odds over hiring

by Mike Kanin and Jo Clifton, republished from Austin Monitor

In a letter penned April 29 to Shayna Bloom with the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Austin Firefighters Association attorney B. Craig Deats reports that the firefighter applicant at the center of a recent hiring discrimination case has settled with the City of Austin.

Still, according to Deats, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission remains in discussions with the association over the issues that led to applicant Steven Brown’s complaint.

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