Z
Zarifa
Guest
Can you please Pray for us...
We have rights: Gender Discrimination is Treating Individuals differently in their Employment, it's illegal to give different benefits to males and females. Title VII covers all private, state & local governments, so why hasn't this law protected us. What's fair for one gender should be the same for the other. Male or female.... Can u please help us. Our time is running out! They are hoping that our time runs out for an appeal, the Lawyer and the City both know we don't have $5,000 for an Appeal. We will just be another case of keep quiet and push it under the rug, if we don't get help fast.... it feels like we are getting pushed to the side with hush money and just be happy that you all still have a job ...... who's going to listen to five (5) black females in this big loud City of Newark. That's how we feel (We're grateful for our career, but right is right and wrong is wrong!! We real need some one to dig deep for us before it is too late. .. .... ..... I am not afraid of the repercussions anymore this is becoming progressively worse.I am speaking for myself as well as the four (4) other female co-workers who are afraid to speak up now for fear that it may be too late for anything else to be accomplished on our behalf. In 2008, we filed a Civil Case against the City of Newark ’s Fire Department for Equal Rights/Equal Pay Compensation and Gender Discrimination, for the years of 2006-2007. During 2006-2007 seven (7) male employees were hired by The Newark Fire Department under the former Fire Director David J. Giordano, (we believed for political reasons, which was unfair! But that was not why we filed our case), we were fighting for our Equal Rights!! The requirements that these employees were hired under were not given to us (females). We were required to have our Fire Prevention Specialist Certification upon hire and we had to be licensed with the State of NJ as a Fire Inspector (that was a must!) a prerequisite to holding this position, which was not required for any of this male employees. I have been employed with the Newark Fire Department since May 3, 1998, I started off as a Clerk, and progressed to Clerk Typist, Fire Dispatcher. I went to school and worked as a single mother as I attained my License to become a Fire Inspector as did many of my co-workers, to better myself and my children’s future. I had to complete all the standard requirements before being promoted to a Fire Prevention Specialist position, yet all seven (7) male employees were hired with non-certified status with no problems. We had to reside within the City of Newark which was also a must for employment, however two (2) male inspectors were non-residents. Regardless of our ability to meet the qualifications as an Inspector, a Valid Drivers License is necessary to even attain a job of this status with the City of Newark, again one (1) of the non-certified male inspectors did not even have a New Jersey Drivers License and even crashed a City Vehicle. The starting salary range at the time of entry was $31,000 - $42,000 yet they all started at the same salary range as those who had been here for years. One of the non-certified inspectors started within the $54,996-$58,620 range, with an office and his own personal secretary…..Yes the list goes on…..TELL ME WITH ALL THAT WAS STATED ABOVE HOW DID OUR CASE GET DISMISSED BY THE CITY OF NEWARK . (PLEASE HELP US)To my understanding, Attorney Mark B. Frost took on our case very eagerly after someone referred us to go to Frost & Zeff, and may I say they are no longer Partners since the filing of this case. We were told that Mr. Frost handles all the City of Newark cases, so we assumed we had someone who was finally fighting for us. Over the last couple of years working in the Newark Fire Department has been a very hostile work place (very sad). Retaliation on many different occasions. Yes, we went to our Union Representative (Mr. Mike James, Local 21) many times before we filed this case, during our case, and after to no avail. Not once did our Union Rep Mike James or Mark B. Frost, suggest that this case needed to go to E.E.O.C. I found that out today (Monday, March 7, 2011) while speaking to another attorney, in hopes of finding an attorney that would represent us in an appeal of this case.
I am asking you for help because I feel that our case has not been heard fairly or taken seriously YET!!! From the very beginning we went to our Mayor, Cory Booker and told him everything that was going on in the Newark Fire Department since David J. Giordano had become Fire Director and our Mayor broke our confidence and told former Director Giordano our intentions. After that the retaliation began, I was removed from my office and told Inspectors couldn’t have their own office, but!!! Don’t forget a non-certified inspector had his own office and secretary. Over the past couple of years the City of Newark & Mr. Frost had been prolonging our case, Mr. Frost didn’t include any of the documents that I submitted to him as far as the harassment that took place. We met with Mr. Frost maybe three (3) times within 2 ½ years as client/attorney, and each time with him simply stating “oh things are looking good!!â€
In 2010 he met with us a day before our Deposition and briefed us on our case and Mr. Frost told us not to worry. Three (3) months went pass with no contact. Every time we tried calling him, his secretary would tell us, he would call us back. I reached out to Mr. Frost in May, 2010 and he informed me that our case was being review by the courts. He told me don’t worry this is what the City always does and advised us to call him back after the New Year. January, 2011, we called Mr. Frost many times only to leave numerous messages with his secretary. Finally, March 1, 2011, we received a call from Mr. Frost stating that, ‘he has bad news, the Assigning Judge (Dickinson R. Debevoise) has dismissed our case’, I asked him, “HOW???, all these actions took place, we gave you proof, it wasn’t just our word against the Fire Department, it was the truth…..I told him that I was going public with this case and he advised me not to.†Mr. Frost now made it his business today March 7, 2011 to set up a meeting with us after I spoke about going Public. He said he put $15,000 of his own money into this case, out of his own pocket, he said this is what the City does and there is nothing he can do about the Judge’s opinion, he told me that it will cost us $5,000, if we want him to put our appeal though.
Can you help us, our case was dismissed on February 25, 2011, but we were not notified until seven (7) days later, why, not that day? Wasn’t our case important enough for a phone call so we could start an appeal process, or at least give us the option to consider it collaborate and see if we wanted one. We only have thirty (30) days to appeal, by the time we were notified we were left with twenty (20) days to put in an appeal. Now at a cost of $1,000 each, I was appalled. I explained to Frost that times are extremely hard and that I would be going to the News before it gets too late!! His response, “I shouldn’t do that†. I asked him as our Lawyer, why wouldn’t you want us to go public with it? All he could say is that its not a good idea…WHY?? He told us ok, we can pay $2,500, $200 each down so that he can get the appeal started, he also told us that it will go to the Appelliate Courts, then he can squeeze some money out of the City. We asked, Mr. Frost, for what to do this again and get the same result, can’t we do anything about this decision. His response was No.It’s just so unreal to me that this is happening in 2011; what happen to us being Protected by the Laws. I have the copies of almost everything Mr. Frost gave us on this case. I read Judge (Dickerson R. Debevoise) opinion on our dismissal, It reads.... Indeed, all of the males FPSs that Plaintiffs have since been terminated from the Newark Fire Department allegedly for budget reasons. If that was so why effective today, March 7, 2011, two (2) of the seven (7) males back at work (rehired) a week after our case is dismissed. During their 4 year tenure they achieved experience and received their certification; therefore its safe now because, The City can not be fined by the State anymore. Never mind that at the time that the Action was taken: these men held positions for over four (4) years as non-certified inspectors making equal or greater salaries, receiving fringe benefits, some did not need to reside in Newark, some did not need to be Certified by the Stated for their FPLS License or they didn’t have their NJ Drivers License.
as of today 4/5/11, I cc: My letter to the names below and No one seem to care, it's very sad to say that my co-workers who are afraid to stand up for thier rights because they feel its a never ending battle, and no ones Cares about the Truth. Our Appeal is in Couts right now but does not change the fact that Our case was Dismiss and the Truth was told...Its un fair! We need your Help..
Thanking you in advance.
cc:
Channel 12 news
The White House
(KeneInYourCorner)
WPIX-TV
(HELPMEHOWARD)
THE STAR-LEDGER
(Ted Sherman)
(Richard Khavkine)
(Ginger Gibson)
The Jersey Journal
Newark City Hall Affirmative Action
NJ Division of Civil Right
Organizing for America
John Sharpe James
Joel Osteen (Ministries)
Steve Harvey(Morning Show)
OPRAH
REV AL Sharpton
Sentor Frank R. Lautenberg
Donald Payne
National Organization for Women
Nancy Grace
N.A.A.C.P
State of Attorney General Office
CNN
Citizen Services and Relations Office
LAWS FIRMS
Hegge & Confusione
Ronald J. Wronko
The Blanch Law Firm
Winestsky & Winesky
Reibma & Weiner
EEOC
We have rights: Gender Discrimination is Treating Individuals differently in their Employment, it's illegal to give different benefits to males and females. Title VII covers all private, state & local governments, so why hasn't this law protected us. What's fair for one gender should be the same for the other. Male or female.... Can u please help us. Our time is running out! They are hoping that our time runs out for an appeal, the Lawyer and the City both know we don't have $5,000 for an Appeal. We will just be another case of keep quiet and push it under the rug, if we don't get help fast.... it feels like we are getting pushed to the side with hush money and just be happy that you all still have a job ...... who's going to listen to five (5) black females in this big loud City of Newark. That's how we feel (We're grateful for our career, but right is right and wrong is wrong!! We real need some one to dig deep for us before it is too late. .. .... ..... I am not afraid of the repercussions anymore this is becoming progressively worse.I am speaking for myself as well as the four (4) other female co-workers who are afraid to speak up now for fear that it may be too late for anything else to be accomplished on our behalf. In 2008, we filed a Civil Case against the City of Newark ’s Fire Department for Equal Rights/Equal Pay Compensation and Gender Discrimination, for the years of 2006-2007. During 2006-2007 seven (7) male employees were hired by The Newark Fire Department under the former Fire Director David J. Giordano, (we believed for political reasons, which was unfair! But that was not why we filed our case), we were fighting for our Equal Rights!! The requirements that these employees were hired under were not given to us (females). We were required to have our Fire Prevention Specialist Certification upon hire and we had to be licensed with the State of NJ as a Fire Inspector (that was a must!) a prerequisite to holding this position, which was not required for any of this male employees. I have been employed with the Newark Fire Department since May 3, 1998, I started off as a Clerk, and progressed to Clerk Typist, Fire Dispatcher. I went to school and worked as a single mother as I attained my License to become a Fire Inspector as did many of my co-workers, to better myself and my children’s future. I had to complete all the standard requirements before being promoted to a Fire Prevention Specialist position, yet all seven (7) male employees were hired with non-certified status with no problems. We had to reside within the City of Newark which was also a must for employment, however two (2) male inspectors were non-residents. Regardless of our ability to meet the qualifications as an Inspector, a Valid Drivers License is necessary to even attain a job of this status with the City of Newark, again one (1) of the non-certified male inspectors did not even have a New Jersey Drivers License and even crashed a City Vehicle. The starting salary range at the time of entry was $31,000 - $42,000 yet they all started at the same salary range as those who had been here for years. One of the non-certified inspectors started within the $54,996-$58,620 range, with an office and his own personal secretary…..Yes the list goes on…..TELL ME WITH ALL THAT WAS STATED ABOVE HOW DID OUR CASE GET DISMISSED BY THE CITY OF NEWARK . (PLEASE HELP US)To my understanding, Attorney Mark B. Frost took on our case very eagerly after someone referred us to go to Frost & Zeff, and may I say they are no longer Partners since the filing of this case. We were told that Mr. Frost handles all the City of Newark cases, so we assumed we had someone who was finally fighting for us. Over the last couple of years working in the Newark Fire Department has been a very hostile work place (very sad). Retaliation on many different occasions. Yes, we went to our Union Representative (Mr. Mike James, Local 21) many times before we filed this case, during our case, and after to no avail. Not once did our Union Rep Mike James or Mark B. Frost, suggest that this case needed to go to E.E.O.C. I found that out today (Monday, March 7, 2011) while speaking to another attorney, in hopes of finding an attorney that would represent us in an appeal of this case.
I am asking you for help because I feel that our case has not been heard fairly or taken seriously YET!!! From the very beginning we went to our Mayor, Cory Booker and told him everything that was going on in the Newark Fire Department since David J. Giordano had become Fire Director and our Mayor broke our confidence and told former Director Giordano our intentions. After that the retaliation began, I was removed from my office and told Inspectors couldn’t have their own office, but!!! Don’t forget a non-certified inspector had his own office and secretary. Over the past couple of years the City of Newark & Mr. Frost had been prolonging our case, Mr. Frost didn’t include any of the documents that I submitted to him as far as the harassment that took place. We met with Mr. Frost maybe three (3) times within 2 ½ years as client/attorney, and each time with him simply stating “oh things are looking good!!â€
In 2010 he met with us a day before our Deposition and briefed us on our case and Mr. Frost told us not to worry. Three (3) months went pass with no contact. Every time we tried calling him, his secretary would tell us, he would call us back. I reached out to Mr. Frost in May, 2010 and he informed me that our case was being review by the courts. He told me don’t worry this is what the City always does and advised us to call him back after the New Year. January, 2011, we called Mr. Frost many times only to leave numerous messages with his secretary. Finally, March 1, 2011, we received a call from Mr. Frost stating that, ‘he has bad news, the Assigning Judge (Dickinson R. Debevoise) has dismissed our case’, I asked him, “HOW???, all these actions took place, we gave you proof, it wasn’t just our word against the Fire Department, it was the truth…..I told him that I was going public with this case and he advised me not to.†Mr. Frost now made it his business today March 7, 2011 to set up a meeting with us after I spoke about going Public. He said he put $15,000 of his own money into this case, out of his own pocket, he said this is what the City does and there is nothing he can do about the Judge’s opinion, he told me that it will cost us $5,000, if we want him to put our appeal though.
Can you help us, our case was dismissed on February 25, 2011, but we were not notified until seven (7) days later, why, not that day? Wasn’t our case important enough for a phone call so we could start an appeal process, or at least give us the option to consider it collaborate and see if we wanted one. We only have thirty (30) days to appeal, by the time we were notified we were left with twenty (20) days to put in an appeal. Now at a cost of $1,000 each, I was appalled. I explained to Frost that times are extremely hard and that I would be going to the News before it gets too late!! His response, “I shouldn’t do that†. I asked him as our Lawyer, why wouldn’t you want us to go public with it? All he could say is that its not a good idea…WHY?? He told us ok, we can pay $2,500, $200 each down so that he can get the appeal started, he also told us that it will go to the Appelliate Courts, then he can squeeze some money out of the City. We asked, Mr. Frost, for what to do this again and get the same result, can’t we do anything about this decision. His response was No.It’s just so unreal to me that this is happening in 2011; what happen to us being Protected by the Laws. I have the copies of almost everything Mr. Frost gave us on this case. I read Judge (Dickerson R. Debevoise) opinion on our dismissal, It reads.... Indeed, all of the males FPSs that Plaintiffs have since been terminated from the Newark Fire Department allegedly for budget reasons. If that was so why effective today, March 7, 2011, two (2) of the seven (7) males back at work (rehired) a week after our case is dismissed. During their 4 year tenure they achieved experience and received their certification; therefore its safe now because, The City can not be fined by the State anymore. Never mind that at the time that the Action was taken: these men held positions for over four (4) years as non-certified inspectors making equal or greater salaries, receiving fringe benefits, some did not need to reside in Newark, some did not need to be Certified by the Stated for their FPLS License or they didn’t have their NJ Drivers License.
as of today 4/5/11, I cc: My letter to the names below and No one seem to care, it's very sad to say that my co-workers who are afraid to stand up for thier rights because they feel its a never ending battle, and no ones Cares about the Truth. Our Appeal is in Couts right now but does not change the fact that Our case was Dismiss and the Truth was told...Its un fair! We need your Help..
Thanking you in advance.
cc:
Channel 12 news
The White House
(KeneInYourCorner)
WPIX-TV
(HELPMEHOWARD)
THE STAR-LEDGER
(Ted Sherman)
(Richard Khavkine)
(Ginger Gibson)
The Jersey Journal
Newark City Hall Affirmative Action
NJ Division of Civil Right
Organizing for America
John Sharpe James
Joel Osteen (Ministries)
Steve Harvey(Morning Show)
OPRAH
REV AL Sharpton
Sentor Frank R. Lautenberg
Donald Payne
National Organization for Women
Nancy Grace
N.A.A.C.P
State of Attorney General Office
CNN
Citizen Services and Relations Office
LAWS FIRMS
Hegge & Confusione
Ronald J. Wronko
The Blanch Law Firm
Winestsky & Winesky
Reibma & Weiner
EEOC
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