EMPLOYMENT HARASSMENT: Houston Firefighter Allegedly Harassed Because of His Race

January 24, 2011

Houston, Texas – A Mexican firefighter who has been with the Houston Fire Department (HFD) for seven years now claims that he was harassed on the job because of his race, the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice said in a press conference.

The incident of harassment reportedly happened two months ago. The firefighter was working at Station 42 when he found a photograph of noose, along with a firefighter’s jacket and a threatening note which read “Learn your job, Mexican. You should be glad you don’t live in Arizona.”

The firefighter has been transferred to a different station since then. The coalition believes that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) should pursue legal action against the city.

City Attorney David Feldman said that the allegation is already being investigated by the Office of Inspector General. This allegation came a week after the EEOC said that the HFD failed to address gender discrimination and hostile work environment issues after a female firefighter was also harassed.