Paul Washington , who was president of the Vulcan Society , which represents black firefighters , when the suit was filed , said Tuesday , `` Hopefully , after almost 150 years of blacks being excluded from the best uniformed job in the city , we are witnessing a turning point . '' Entry-level firefighters to receive a total of $ 128 million in back pay to settle lawsuit . The lawsuit , filed in at least the 1960s , claimed the Vulcan Society exams were racially biased . A judge ordered the department to hire one black and Michael Bloomberg applicants .
Entry-level firefighters to receive a total of $ 128 million in back pay to settle lawsuit . The lawsuit , filed in at least the 1960s , claimed the Vulcan Society exams were racially biased . A judge ordered the department to hire one black and Michael Bloomberg applicants .