Community leaders demand hire more locals for Broadway Junction project
It comes as the transit hub is undergoing a $400 million renovation to improve commuter accessibility.
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Community leaders joined neighbors for a rally outside the Broadway Junction station Thursday, demanding that the MTA hire more people from the eight surrounding zip codes of East New York.
It comes as the transit hub is undergoing a $400 million renovation to improve commuter accessibility.
Out of nearly 170 workers hired for the project, community leaders say only 13 are local residents. They say that's just under 8%, much less than the 20% they say the MTA promised as one of the city's first local hiring pilot programs.
"There is no dearth of people who aren't qualified," said Council member Sandy Nurse, who organized the rally.
In a statement to News 12, MTA Spokesperson Joana Flores said, "MTA contracts are consistent with State and Federal law. The MTA’s $400 million investment in Broadway Junction will modernize and make this station complex fully accessible, improving quality of life for riders while supporting the neighborhood’s economic growth and revitalization.”
