Jobs for Black, Spanish-speaking Only Civil Service Dep’t Job Bias Scored

The leader of a B’nai B’rith lodge in Forest Hills, Queens, has denounced the New York State Department of Civil Service for practicing "racial discrimination" in job offerings. Howard Abadinsky, president-elect of the FDR Lodge, reported that the Civil Service Department sent out an announcement for correction counselors in penal institutions stating:"… the federal government has made available funds to place 19 correction counselors immediately with the proviso that they be members of the Black or Spanish-speaking communities." The salary range for the jobs is $12,103-$14,043.

According to the announcement No. 29-017, Correction Counselor (Minority Group), issued Feb. 25, the rationale for the ethnic proviso is based on recent developments in New York State and across the nation "which make it clear that positive action must be taken to alleviate some of the pressures caused by differences of ethnic background in the inmate population of Correctional Institutions."

Continuing, the announcement states that "A large percentage of the population of Correctional Institutions in New York State consists of members of minority groups, and it has become apparent that it is necessary to make available to them counselors who share a common ethnic background."

FAIR EMPLOYMENT TRAVESTY

Abadinsky expressed "dismay" that the Civil Service Department, whose motto is "Personnel Chosen for Merit in Fair Competition," would base the selection of civil service employment on racial and ethnic consideration. "I note," he added in a letter to Alex Miller, acting director of the New York Area Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, "that at the bottom of the announcement is the employment credo of the State of New York, ‘An Equal Opportunity Employer.’ What a travesty."

Referring to the announcement’s description of the ethnic population in correctional institutions, Abadinsky declared: "I would like to point out that New York City has had its share of prison disturbances despite a high amount of Black correctional staff, including the highly qualified Correction Commissioner (Benjamin J. Malcolm)". Abadinsky stated that the attempt by the Civil Service Department "to set up quotas" is in violation of New York State law and that it must be stopped. He requested the ADL to take "immediate legal action to prevent the hiring of any civil service employes on the discriminatory basis" contained in the announcement.