MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Some black firefighters in Memphis are complaining that legal challenges by their union are racially motivated and are delaying the promotion of blacks into officers positions.
At a press conference Thursday, members of the Progressive Black Firefighters of Memphis called on the mayor, the City Council and the fire director to remove the Memphis Association of Firefighters Local 1784 as its union or to give their group equal bargaining rights.
The black firefighters charge that the union - the sole bargaining unit for about 1,500 firefighters - has refused to represent them and is blocking promotions of battalion chiefs, lieutenants and others.
``These actions are straining the racial working conditions and relationships in the department,'' said Lt. Sandra Richards, president of the group, which claims about 100 members.
On Monday, the union won a Chancery Court injunction blocking the city from proceeding with promotions of a half-dozen lieutenants and battalion chiefs for at least two weeks. The action is the latest in a series of legal wrangling involving promotional tests.
Union president Terry Oldham said the group sought the delay because some members felt they weren't scored properly and had not been allowed to review all portions of the tests they took last year. After viewing the tests firefighters might decide they have grounds to challenge them, Oldham said.
``This is not about race, it's about what's right and what's wrong. Some of the people who have come to us are black themselves,'' Oldham said.
Information from: The Commercial Appeal
