# Labor, Workforce & Economic Development on October 15, 2026


**Body:** Boston City Council
**Date:** October 14, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The Boston City Council Committee on Labor and Economic Development held an October 15, 2026 hearing on Docket 0218, reviewing the effectiveness and enforcement of the Boston Residents Jobs Policy. Staff reported monitoring about 150 construction projects through September 30—44 private projects and 106 public projects—and described payroll tracking through Salesforce, a graduated warning and corrective-action process, and one fine of approximately $11,000 during the staff member’s tenure. For private projects, the presentation cited about 3.1 million work hours, with 18% going to Boston residents, 41% to people of color, and 8% to women, compared with policy goals of 51%, 40%, and 12%, respectively. Councilors requested more wage data and information about payroll reporting compliance; staff said public-project wage data could be developed for recent prevailing-wage projects. No contract awards, bids, procurement votes, or spending motions were reported.

The committee also discussed a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant supporting expanded access to skilled-trades training and registered apprenticeships, including a planned increase from 50 to 100 young people entering apprenticeships, with no grant amount stated. Councilors raised whether contractors’ compliance histories should inform procurement decisions and whether the policy affects building permits. Staff said the compliance dashboard is available to procurement staff, but agreed to provide policy materials for further review; no decision was made. The hearing also noted a planned review of strategies behind stronger workforce participation figures on the White Stadium project and a committee work-plan item to establish a consolidated labor advisory committee.

**Source:** Boston City Council