(NEW YORK CITY) – American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 37, Home Care Employees Local 389, Disability Advocates and Labor Allies rallied at City Hall Park to urge the New York City Council to reject Intro. 303, legislation that would jeopardize Workers’ jobs, benefits and care for thousands of disabled New Yorkers - if passed.

The proposed Bill aims to eliminate 24-hour shifts and institute two split shifts of 12 hours in an attempt to protect Workers from wage exploitation.

The measure, while well-intentioned, would conflict with Medicaid requirements and as written does not provide a funding solution.

Home care services in New York City are regulated and paid for by the State.

The majority of the 5,000 Home Care Workers represented by District Council 37 are Women of Color, specifically Black Workers, who depend on Medicaid-funded shifts to support themselves and their families.

Intro. 303 would also cause a disruption in care for approximately 13,000 severely-disabled New Yorkers who rely on Home Health Aides for assistance and their quality of life.

Without Medicaid coverage for split 12-hour shifts, some patients could be forced into hospitals or nursing homes, losing the continuity and personal care provided by these Workers.

Home Care Employees Local 389 President Margaret Glover, a Home Care Worker for last 46 years, said: “You don’t know what it’s like to work as a Home Care Worker, to see our clients who need our help for their basic needs- we do this work because we want to help them. A lot of my Members work (24)-hour shifts and are worried about what losing those shifts will mean for their families and the clients they support. We do not want this Bill.” 

AFSCME District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido said: “We oppose any legislation that will upend the lives of thousands of hard-working Caregivers and their families, as well as the clients who rely on this high standard of personal care, without any funding secured to pay for these changes. We have a duty to stand not only with our Members in the Home Care Sector to fight this legislation, but also to the communities they serve.”

New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith said: “Home Care Workers deserve fair pay, respect on the job and protection from the exploitation and abuse which we know is unfortunately too common. Home Care Aides are overwhelmingly Women of Color, and the Labor Movement has spent decades fighting for stronger conditions and protections in this industry. But you can’t fix a flawed system by implementing new requirements without a sustained funding solution and hoping everything works itself out - and that is exactly what Intro. (303) would do. If we’re going to make major changes to how home care works in this City, it needs to be done with the state involved, appropriate resources and all stakeholders involved as part of the effort.”

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