- Councilman Ed Zucal said he will propose the city hire an outside agency to investigate allegations of discrimination in City Hall
- City council had a closed-door session earlier this month to discuss allegations brought by the NAACP and former HR director with Mayor Matt Tuerk and his administration
- In a statement, Tuerk said that his administration has made dramatic improvements to city services but acknowledged that more work remains
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Councilman Ed Zucal announced Thursday he will introduce legislation next week that would hire independent investigators to look into allegations of racism within city government.
In a news release, Zucal said he will introduce a resolution at Wednesday's city council meeting that would allow council to hire an outside agency to review hiring, terminations and discipline related to complaints of racism and discrimination by the Allentown NAACP and the city's ousted human resources director.
“City Council, but more importantly the residents of Allentown deserve the facts and the truth regarding what’s happening in City Hall. We need to clear the air that hangs heavy over our city," he said.
Zucal noted that the city has seen an abundance of turnover in the past two years. Along with rank-and-file workers, the city has lost two HR directors, a director of public works, a chief planner, a chief operations officer, a director of finance and two administrators in the parks and recreations department.
"Leadership starts at the top," Zucal said in his news release. "These allegations call attention to chronic and problematic issues with the leadership in the city and fundamental mismanagement of City Hall."
"City Council, but more importantly the residents of Allentown deserve the facts and the truth regarding what’s happening in City Hall. We need to clear the air that hangs heavy over our city."Ed Zucal, Allentown councilman
Mayor Matt Tuerk did not directly address the call for an independent investigation in a statement released by his administration Thursday. However, he said the city has made dramatic improvements to the way the city serves its residents and stakeholders through his first 18 months in office, but that more work remains.
"Positive change does not come easily, and I'm grateful that the majority of Allentonians, city employees and City Council members are supportive of our efforts to nurture a more respectful, supportive, inclusive and caring City Hall. We do do this better together," Tuerk said in the statement.
In July, the NAACP chapter sent a five-page letter to Tuerk citing numerous complaints of unequal treatment of minority employees compared to their white colleagues. The letter alleged white police officers were allowed to cheat on an exam that could give them a leg up on promotions; that employees of color were not receiving the same on-the-job training as their white co-workers; and that an employee who complained about racism in the workplace was fired, among other complaints.
"If these reports are accurate, it is time for you, Mayor, to make a stand against racism in your workplace," the letter read.
In response to the letter, Tuerk emailed city employees that his administration does not tolerate racism and encouraged employees to speak with his office, the law department or HR if they had complaints. But he did not at the time address the specific allegations.
However, the status of that letter is unclear. The chapter Vice President Dan Bosket said the letter was not authorized by himself or President Walt Felton, and he refused to address its status in mid-August.
In August, Human Relations Director Nadeem Shahzad said he was forced to resign two months after being hired. Shahzad said he refused a directive from Tuerk to terminate an HR employee that Shahzad said had done nothing wrong and who had filed EEOC complaints against the city. Shahzad also said that Tuerk was displeased that he was responding to requests from city council about the number of employees who were receiving severance payments.
Shahzad has threatened to bring litigation against the city, saying he was forced out due to his race, religion, skin color and immigrant status.
Following Shahzad's departure, council members and members of the Tuerk administration met behind closed doors to discuss the complaints. City Council President Daryl Hendricks and Zucal have declined to comment on what if any measures came out of the meeting.
In an interview, Zucal said was unsure if he'll have the votes to pass the measure, though he anticipates support from some council members. When word of Shahzad's ouster reached Council Vice President Cynthia Mota earlier this month, she said she would call for an investigation into the allegations. However, she was non-committal about backing Zucal's pending resolution Thursday evening.
The mayor is tasked with overseeing personnel, she said, though she acknowledged city council may have to get involved due to the complaints that have surfaced.
"We just want to make sure we practice inclusion for everyone," she said.
