EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: Amityville Village and Fire Department Settles $210K-Age Discrimination Suit

February 25, 2011

New York – The Village of Amityville and its Fire Department has agreed to pay $209,280 to settle an age discrimination suit charged by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced Wednesday.

According to the suit, the officials of the Village of Amityville and the Amityville Fire Department barred its senior firefighters from availing a retirement pension because of their age. Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), employers and owners are not allowed to take adverse actions against their employees because of their age.

The settlement will include payment of “length of service award” or retirement pension to 23 firefighters. The village and its fire department will also provide an increased monthly pension to 15 volunteer firefighters who are still living.

Judy Keenan, EEOC acting regional attorney, said they are pleased that all parties cooperated in order to provide the benefits due to the senior firefighters.