New York fire department settles discrimination lawsuit

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/18/new-york-fire-department-discrimination-lawsuit

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A lawsuit alleging that the New York fire department discriminated against minority applicants has been settled.

The settlement means a trial scheduled to begin March 31 in the 7-year-old case will not be held.

Lawyers from the Center for Constitutional Rights say New York City agreed to “broad injunctive relief and back pay”.

The center represented the Vulcan Society of black firefighters. The society didn’t immediately respond to requests for additional details.

It scheduled a news conference for Tuesday morning.

The FDNY and mayor’s office didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

In May, an appeals court ruled that the FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it doesn’t discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices.