Support the Hunger Strike to End 24-hour Workdays

In New York City, home attendants–predominantly immigrant women of color– are forced to work consecutive, sleepless 24-hour shifts. They care for our elderly and disabled loved ones who need 24-hour care. They have fought to end 24-hour workdays for almost 10 years, but this system continues the violence. Starting March 20th, 20+ home attendants are going on hunger strike! We demand an end to the violence of 24-hour workdays that destroy our lives and our health! (Read the recent NY Times coverage!)

Anywhere else in the world, full time care for patients is split into 8- or 12-hour shifts. 24-hour workdays destroy workers’ bodies and families, and endanger their patients. Last year, they rallied in the hundreds at City Hall every month in support of the No More 24 Act (Int. 615), which would implement maximum 12 hour split shifts to the much needed 24-hour care. But Council Speaker Adrienne Adams refuses to bring the No More 24 Act to a vote. She’s the leader of the first majority-women City Council, yet chooses to protect the profits of insurance and home care companies at the expense of working women’s lives.

Guihua “Candy” Song, one of the hunger strikers, has permanent back and leg injuries from grueling 24-hour workdays. She says, “Taking this step is not something we initially had wanted. Everyone knows that hunger striking is very harmful to one’s health. But we are forced to take this action by today’s violent and racist system. Nearly a decade of protests, marches, and demonstrations didn’t seem to suffice to pass the bill to abolish the 24-hour workday. With our determination, we will let everyone know that such inhumanity, such violence against women, still exists in a democratic country, in our NYC.” Hear more from Candy and other workers here.

We are raising money to make sure the whole world knows what home attendants have suffered and about their determined hunger strike to end the violence. Help us put ads in newspapers, radio, and television, and on the street. We need everyone’s support to end the 24-hour workday! Funds will also be used to cover hunger strike supplies. Our ultimate goal is to raise $100,000, so please help us spread this call far and wide.

Read more in recent press coverage:

Also check out nomore24.org and Ain't I a Woman on instagram.

Chinese Staff & Workers' Association is a member of the Ain't I a Woman coalition.