Home Health Aides Renew Hunger Strike Over 24-Hour Shift Legislation

A coalition of home health aides, labor advocates, and retirees resumed a hunger strike on Tuesday, intensifying their campaign to force a City Council vote on the 'No More 24 Act.' The protesters, led by the Ain’t I A Woman Campaign, are calling on Speaker Julie Menin to bring the original version of the bill—Intro. 303—to the floor for a vote.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Council Member Christopher Marte, seeks to end the practice of 24-hour workdays by requiring that care be split into two 12-hour shifts. It would also cap weekly hours for individual aides at 56. Currently, state law permits 24-hour shifts provided that workers receive eight hours of sleep and three hours for meals. However, advocates argue that these breaks are rarely honored, leading to severe physical and emotional strain for a workforce composed largely of immigrant women of color.

Luz Estrella, a former home health aide, stated that the constant sleep interruptions during her decade of 24-hour shifts contributed to the development of a heart condition. Protesters expressed frustration with the lack of progress, characterizing the current legislative delay as a betrayal of previous commitments.

Representatives for Speaker Menin have not provided a timeline for a vote. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Speaker’s office emphasized a commitment to phasing out the 24-hour workday but noted that the office is seeking a "viable and sustainable path forward" that accounts for the needs of both workers and patients. The office maintains that amendments to the bill are necessary to prevent a potential home care crisis, citing concerns from disability advocates and legal groups that a sudden shift could leave thousands of New Yorkers without essential services.

Disagreements persist regarding proposed amendments that would allow for "opt-in" provisions and exemptions under collective bargaining agreements. Critics argue these carve-outs could lead to the coercion of workers. Conversely, the Speaker’s office has stated that the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection would be empowered to investigate and penalize any employers found using coercive tactics.

As of Tuesday, the impasse continues, with advocates and city officials remaining at odds over the path toward reform.