Labor & Economic Development on April 9, 2026

The Boston City Council Committee on Labor and Economic Development held a hearing on April 9, 2026, to discuss the feasibility of reviving the city's Red Shirts program, which historically employed youth in community maintenance tasks such as trash removal and sidewalk sweeping. The discussion focused on integrating a modernized version of the program with existing youth employment initiatives like Success Link and Power Core, aiming to supplement city workforce needs and provide meaningful career development opportunities. Testimony highlighted budget challenges, including a $6 million cut affecting youth employment programs, and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to address litter and beautification in neighborhoods. Councilors expressed support for a pilot program and discussed potential cost savings by employing youth at lower wages compared to contracted services, while also considering supervision and training requirements. The hearing concluded with plans to further explore logistics and partnerships with city departments for implementation.