In Spring of 2024, home care workers took City Hall by storm, launching a weeklong Hunger Strike. We garnered the support of thousands of workers, medical professionals, elderly and patient advocates, and young workers. Our effort was a huge success. Because of the public pressure, many home care agencies have now stopped 24-hour shifts, replaced them with 12-hour shifts, and settled stolen wages. We continue to demand an end to the 24-hour shifts and end this systemic violence against women.

In the August heat, workers and supporters gathered in Albany condemning the Department of Labor for closing thousands of unionized home attendants’ cases for unpaid wages stemming from the 24-hour shifts. We were successful the state court ordered the Department of Labor to reopen the home attendant unpaid wages cases. This accomplishment is evidence that despite the government, insurance companies, unions, and healthcare agencies efforts to keep women workers exploited and oppressed, they are no match for the strength of women workers’ leadership.

Fighting Against Displacement and Taking Back Our Community

Our efforts to protect the Chinatown and Lower East Side finally defeated the developer and owner of 265-275 Cherry Street development. We worked to unite small business owners and City Council Member Chris Marte in the opening of a large-scale banquet restaurant in the East Broadway mall that has faced hard times since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our picket of Museum of Chinese in Americas (MOCA) continues into its third year, receiving support even nationally and beyond. We are demanding the government build low-income housing and protect the environment, including people, and not help developers to build high-rises and implement congestion pricing that further displaces our community. We are calling on all Chinese people to unite with other immigrant communities and Black communities as working people to collectively fight against the City’s and State’s pro-developer policies.

Looking Forward to the New Year

The past year, what we are most proud of is to see thousands of home care workers stand up against racism and abusive powers. The home care workers’ struggle is not only changing themselves, it is also changing how they are viewed by our community and by other communities, as Chinese workers and women of color who have gained respect.

Join us with your time, your voice, and your generous donations, as we enter this new year of extraordinary growth. We invite you, your family and friends to our Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, February 23rd, 11:30 a.m. at Seward Park High School to usher in the exciting Year of the Snake. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, and purchase your lucky raffle tickets now!

Sincerely,

Ren Quan Yang and Lai Yee Chan
on behalf of CSWA Board of Directors