Council Speaker Adams accused of protecting Insurance Companies

Home health care workers demanded the city council pass a bill that would reduce maximum working hours and cap a 24-hour shift to once a week.

At a rally in front of City Hall on Wednesday, workers said City Council Speaker Adrianne Adams was intentionally stalling bringing the bill, which would set a maximum of 12 hours an employer could assign to a home health care aid, for a vote.

The Ain’t I a Woman Campaign, which represents immigrant home care workers in New York, said that Speaker Adams has intentionally blocked bill Int.175 from being brought to a vote, in order to benefit insurance companies.

Lum spoke about her disappointment in the Speaker. “It’s hypocritical for her to be talking about how proud she is to be the first African American woman city council speaker, when she is hurting the lives of women of color by promoting the twenty four hour shift.”

Councilman Christopher Marte, the sponsor of the bill, said he has had enough. “We know who funds your campaign. We know the special interests that talk through your ear. We know the lobbyists that control your hands.”

Speaker Adams declined to give a statement for this story. 

Rosa Dolmo, who is currently a home care worker, explained how she was forced into twenty-four-hour work days. “The agency that I worked for, in my experience, they told me if you don’t take twenty-four-hour shifts, there’s no work at all for you.” She said didn’t have another option for work, and was only paid for thirteen hours of labor, though she gave twenty-four.

Tourists and onlookers appeared quite affected by the message of the group. 

Josh Alif, a tourist visiting the park from Canada, was shocked to learn about the plight of home care attendants in New York. “It doesn’t seem fair at all.” he said. In Canada, home care workers are entitled to eight hour breaks between each twelve hour shift. 

Speaker Adams didn’t make an appearance during the protest. Jun Chang, an organizer for Ain’t I a Woman, promised that this issue would not blow over for the councilwoman. “We will be back in a month - we will be back every month. Speaker Adams, we’re gonna ruin your Christmas!”