SCRANTON — A former City of Scranton firefighter alleges he faced age discrimination.
Paul Schirra filed a complaint Nov. 1 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against the City of Scranton alleging violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and other claims.
Schirra was employed by the City of Scranton as a full-time firefighter until his retirement on Aug. 27, 2021, according to his complaint. He alleges that in March of 2019, he was 55 years old and was placed on the promotion list to lieutenant and captain and by June of 2020 had been moved to the "first position" on the list.
Schirra claims he was passed over for positions despite his experience and qualifications. According to his complaint, he filed discrimination charges with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He further alleges in December of 2020, he was again passed over for the promotion in favor of a "substantially " younger person with less experience and a lower placement test score.
Schirra claims the City of Scranton did not have a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason to skip his promotion and that he was discriminated against due to his age.
Schirra seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Gerald Hanchulak of The Hanchulak Law Offices PC in Clarks Summit.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 3:21-CV-01853-RDM