Racial Slur, Conduct Cited in Termination of Charleston, SC, Fire Union Head

An alleged racial slur about foreign firefighters is among reasons cited for the termination of Charleston Fire Union President John Baker.

Baker, who had worked for the department for seven years, was fired May 29, weeks after WCSC reported about unhealthy conditions in Charleston's fire stations. 

City officials wrote in its termination letter to Baker that he violated standards of conduct, the station reported.

Baker reportedly used a racial slur in reference to visiting Saudi firefighters who were participating in a department training program.

Investigators determined that he “manipulated and omitted evidence (text messages) he produced during the discovery phase of a lawsuit that directly related to his employment. His omission was intentional, and he admitted that it was intended to hide information relating to his use of the racial slur discussed above.”

He also was accused of being "complicit in another firefighter's misues of sick leave."

Baker was given the opportunity to resign, reporters noted, but would that would involve ihs inability to bring legal action against the city.

The former union head wrote in a statement: “I challenged the Charleston Fire Department for exposing its fire fighters to health and safety hazards in fire stations across the city. The Department terminated me as punishment. I look forward to vindicating my and other fire fighters’ First Amendment rights in federal court.”

Charleston officials' response is: "The City recognizes the rights of all its employees to engage in protected speech and association, and it supports and respects those rights even when it might disagree with the message. However, exercising legal rights and violating rules or conduct standards are two very different things. Mr. Baker was dismissed for conduct inconsistent with his employment. The details of that conduct were set out for him in the attached letter to him.”