Cambridge City Council unanimously endorses state project labor agreement legislation

CAMBRIDGE — April 1, 2024 — Cambridge City Council unanimously endorsed state legislation authorizing project labor agreements and flagged community outreach gaps ahead of a major summer MBTA red line shutdown. All nine members voted Monday to co-sponsor Policy Order 1 supporting H.3012/S.2027, after Councilor Paul Toner moved to expand the measure — originally filed by Councilors Zack Azeem, Vice Mayor Marc McGovern, and Sabrina Wheeler — to include the full council. On the MBTA red line closure, Transportation Commissioner Brooke McKenna told councilors that approximately 600 additional commuter rail riders were recorded between Porter and North Station during the February shutdown, though shuttle ridership data could not be captured because charter coaches lack automatic counters. A larger 16-day closure is planned for July, with further disruptions in October and December. Mayor Denise Simmons pressed staff on whether outreach was reaching senior buildings, the interfaith community, and non-English-speaking residents; Deputy City Manager Iram Farooq said hiring for a director of community engagement is in its final stages. The meeting opened with a National Public Health Week proclamation honoring Cambridge Public Health Department Chief Derek Neal and the department's 82 employees, whom Neal called "by far the most professional" staff of four health departments he has led nationally.