Homecare patients, SEIU 1199 homecare workers, union representatives and disability activists gathered in Downtown Flushing last Friday as Councilmember Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) called on state lawmakers to end 24-hour shifts and provide funding to split them into two, 12-hour shifts.

“Despite being on the job for 24 hours, these hardworking caregivers are just paid for 13 hours of work, because it’s assumed they get eight hours of sleep, and three hours for meals,” Ung said. “So, we all know that’s not true.”

Under state law, should that allotted time be interrupted, employers must pay homecare workers the full 24-hours’ worth of wages. As documented in an extensive report published by the office of Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Flushing) in January, many homecare workers employed by the Chinese American Planning Council (which accounts for a significant contingent of Flushing-based caregivers) have attempted to get the necessary compensation for that overtime work. That fight has taken the form of numerous court cases over the course of roughly two decades.

“For nearly 20 years, 1199 homecare workers and advocates for people who rely on this care have been asking state lawmakers to allocate the necessary funding to pay for two 12-hour shifts,” Ung said. “So far, Albany has refused to.”

Indeed, some state lawmakers’ attempt to end 24-hour shifts, A3145A/S359A, has stalled at the state level for some time. Both the Senate and Assembly versions of the bill have been stuck in...

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