Negotiations End With Conn. Firefighter in Dispute

March 30--NEW LONDON -- The city was considering reinstating fired firefighter Alfred Mayo, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said in an email Friday, but the negotiations ended after Finizio consulted with the city's law department, city staff and an attorney for the city's insurance company.

Finizio said the negotiations, before stopping, related to Mayo's "potential claims against the City, including the possibility of reinstatement of Mr. Mayo into the hiring process and Mr. Mayo's demands for monetary damages."

"My original decision regarding Mr. Mayo's employment was never reversed and still stands," Finizio said. He added that Councilor Wade Hyslop, who is the council's public safety liaison, and Chief Administrative Officer Jane Glover "continue to support this decision."

"I believe Mr. Mayo does not meet our standard for employment as a New London firefighter and adamantly deny that race was a factor in this determination," Finizio said.

In testimony Thursday in Hartford before the legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, Mayo mentioned the negotiations with the city, which he said began in February and included his being rehired, back pay and attorney fees. Earlier this week, Mayo said, the city rescinded that offer.

Mayo, the first black firefighter hired by the city since 1978, was fired in December just days before graduating from the state fire academy and since has alleged he was a victim of racism.

"I didn't know I'd come here today and say I'd lost the job a second time," Mayo told the caucus Thursday night.

On Friday, Finizio said "the administration is committed to promoting diversity in all City departments (including the Fire Department)."

"The administration has already demonstrated this commitment and will continue to do so when qualified minority candidates are available to be hired," he said.

Copyright 2012 - The Day, New London, Conn.