Protesters rally to end the 24-hour work day, call on City Council to pass bill soon or face sit-in' | amNewYork

"Every day you delay is another day we women workers suffer. We have permanently lost our health, and no amount of money can buy it back. Some of our sisters have already passed away. The 24-hour workday must stop immediately."

"Under New York State law, it is legal for employers to only pay wages for 13 hours of a 24-hour shift, claiming the unpaid hours for sleep and meal breaks. However, home care workers at the protest said these breaks do not exist, and many are forced to endure sleepless nights to care for patients."

"The bill is currently laid over in the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, although Councilman Christopher Marte originally introduced versions of the bill in 2022 and 2024 that never made it to a vote. As of press time, there's no listed date as to when this version of the bill would be voted on because the bill's final language is still being negotiated."

On International Women's Day, protesters and labor unions rallied near City Hall demanding passage of the No More 24 Act, which would prohibit 24-hour workdays for home health care workers. The bill disproportionately affects women workers who currently endure unpaid hours despite New York State law allowing employers to pay wages for only 13 of 24 hours, claiming the remainder covers sleep and meal breaks. Workers report these breaks do not actually exist, forcing them to work sleepless nights. The Coalition to Fight for Our Health and Lives threatened daily sit-ins if the bill is not passed by March 18. The bill remains in committee with negotiations ongoing between the City Council and the Mayor's office regarding legal concerns in the bill's language.

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