N.Y. City Council Approves Tough Job Bias Measure

NEW YORK —  The City Council on Wednesday passed a civil rights bill described as one of the toughest in the nation, but the lone dissenter argued that it would encourage racial quotas.

The measure, approved 34 to 1, shifts to the employer the burden of proving that employment tests do not discriminate if one group of individuals--such as women or racial minorities--fails at a disproportionately high rate. It also provides for civil fines of up to $250,000.

“While the bill speaks of no quotas . . . it nevertheless shifts the burden on the small business owner to provide the mechanism for the legal process in proving their hiring practices,” said Fred Cerullo of Staten Island, the only Republican on the council, who also cast the only dissenting vote.

The bill would allow people who believe that they have been discriminated against to pursue legal action in state Supreme Court instead of going through the Human Rights Commission.

Council Speaker Peter Vallone said the measure, expected to be signed by Mayor David N. Dinkins, the city’s first black mayor, would show that the city is at the forefront of attempts to eliminate discrimination.