Hiring Discrimination for Minorities in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Federal authorities have determined a Central Texas fire department discriminated against some minority applicants seeking jobs.
The Austin American-Statesman (http://bit.ly/1bqW7fbz ) reports the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission looked at Austin Fire Department hiring practices since 2012. Austin officials in April learned of the review and said they welcomed the objective oversight.

The EEOC, in a letter received by the department Monday, found some black applicants were discriminated against because of race and some Hispanics faced discrimination due to national origin.

Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr said in a memo Tuesday that the city will not debate the decision. Kerr also says the city has decided not to hire additional personnel from the 2012 candidate list as a result of the EEOC determination. So far 96 firefighters from the list have been hired.

Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com