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NEW YORK (AP) — Members of the New York's emergency medical services say in a lawsuit that women and non-white members are suffering from discrimination.
The lawsuit seeks class-action status and was filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan.
Members of the unit say it was historically diverse, but when EMS became part of the city's fire department in the mid-1990s that started to change. They say now white, male members are promoted more regularly than women and non-white members.
The lawsuit says there is too much discretion now in promoting officers. Higher-ups in the unit make more money and responsibility.
The suit seeks a change in policies and an injunction preventing further bad promotions.
The lawsuit was filed by Uniformed EMS Officers Local 3621. It represents about 535 officers.
The city's law department didn't immediately comment.
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