Pact Could End Bias Suit Against S.F. Fire Dept.

A tentative agreement announced Thursday would end an 18-year-old job discrimination suit against the San Francisco Fire Department by requiring promotion of dozens of minorities and hiring of more women and minorities.

The agreement also calls for training concerning sexual and racial harassment and outlines a system for black firefighters to claim damages for discrimination other than in promotions.

“This is not the end, but the beginning--I hope the beginning of a new era for the city and members of the Fire Department,” said District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel.

‘A Lot of Hard Work’

“As the judge said today, while this ends the litigation, it really begins a lot of hard work on our parts to make sure the consent decree is implemented,” said City Atty. Louise Renne, who took steps to end the dispute shortly after she took office in 1986.

A fairness hearing will be held Dec. 22 to hear any objections before Patel signs the document. The tentative settlement must be approved by the Board of Supervisors, which will be presented with the agreement on Monday.

The president of the firefighters’ union said his executive board will urge union members to reject the agreement in a vote next week. Renne called that stance “stupid.”

A final settlement would end the longest job discrimination fight in city history.

The proposed settlement includes:

- A long-term goal of 40% minority and 10% female representation on the force.

- 55% minority and 10% female hiring through 1994.

- Promotion to the rank of lieutenant for 45 minority group members and 36 whites. Six blacks will be promoted with back pay to rectify the impact of a controversial 1978 lieutenant’s examination.

Case Began in 1969

The case originated in 1969 and alleged that Civil Service tests for the Fire Department effectively made it impossible for women and minority group members to be hired or receive promotions.

Black organizations complained that firefighters already on the job were victims of discrimination at work. Racial incidents, including a fistfight involving a black firefighter in 1986, fueled the dispute.