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High Court Rules Brookline Firefighter Was Wrongfully Fired After Reporting Racist Work Environment
CBS Boston 4/28/2021 Syndicated Local – CBS Boston
BROOKLINE (CBS) – This week, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said Gerald Alston was wrongfully fired after complaining of a racist work environment at the Brookline Fire Department.
“The truth is the truth and I knew it was going to come to the surface and right now it vindicates me, it fills me with joy,” Alston said.
Vindication, but not justice. The former Brookline firefighter said he’s relieved his truth has been validated by the state’s highest court.
“I was relying on my union to step up and help and they didn’t do so either. I feel as though like there has to be something in place for the little people,” Alston said.
The TAB has reached out to the town for comment.
Alston’s case dates back to 2010, when a Brookline Fire Department superior left him a voicemail using the “n-word.” Alston, who is Black, was placed on paid leave in 2013 after the town claimed he made threatening comments at work, and Alston filed a federal discrimination suit against the town in 2015, alleging a culture of racism and retaliation.
The town fired him in 2016, claiming Alston refused to cooperate and comply with return-to-work conditions.
“This argument ignores the key conclusion of the commission – that Alston s inability to work was caused by the town s actions and inactions,” the SJC wrote in its opinion.
Chief John F. Sullivan recently announced that the Brookline Fire Department is one of nearly 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant.