Home Care Workers Suspend Hunger Strike, Vow Continued Push for Shift Limits

A coalition of home healthcare workers concluded a week-long hunger strike on Tuesday, marking a pause in their high-profile campaign to end 24-hour work shifts in New York City. The protesters are calling on City Council Speaker Julie Menin to bring the 'No More 24' Act, or Intro 303, to a full council vote.

For years, advocates have argued that the current scheduling model—which often requires caregivers to work full-day shifts without adequate rest—exploits a workforce primarily composed of immigrant women of color. Supporters of the bill, including sponsor Council Member Christopher Marte, contend that the practice is inhumane. While the hunger strike has ended, organizers stated they intend to return with expanded demonstrations in early October.

The movement recently gained international attention when the United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls contacted the offices of Speaker Menin, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Governor Kathy Hochul. The UN body expressed concern that the city's 24-hour work requirements could constitute forced labor, noting that they had previously raised the issue with the federal government without receiving a response.

In response to inquiries regarding the UN communication and the status of the legislation, a spokesperson for Speaker Menin stated that the office is currently preparing a response. A representative for Governor Hochul did not address the pending legislation directly but emphasized the administration's commitment to home care workers, citing $13 billion in wage increases secured since 2023.

Despite the momentum behind the 'No More 24' campaign, the bill faces significant opposition from some disability rights groups and legal organizations. Critics, including the Legal Aid Society, argue that the legislation is poorly drafted and lacks explicit language to mandate split shifts. Attorneys warn that if the bill passes in its current form, it could create a legal conflict with Medicaid insurance authorizations, potentially leaving patients without any care at all.

Some disability advocates, however, have dismissed these concerns as fear-mongering. They argue that the transition to 12-hour shifts would not automatically trigger a loss of coverage for those currently authorized for 24-hour care. As the debate continues, the future of Intro 303 remains uncertain, with both sides awaiting further action from the City Council.