CPC Statement on Misinformation Circulated by Ain't I A Woman Campaign

Mar

The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is deeply concerned and disappointed that the Ain’t I A Woman Campaign staff and organizers—not the home care workers—continue to mischaracterize legal proceedings to attack CPC. Most recently, they circulated a flyer distorting the facts and spreading false claims about a New York Supreme Court decision to falsely target CPC.

In a recent Decision and Order in Chen et al. v. Reardon (Index No. 908146‑23, N.Y. Sup. Ct., Albany County), the Court ruled that “petitioners’ motion for class certification is granted.” This decision was a technical, procedural ruling regarding class action status in a matter between the petitioners and the State. The Court did not make a ruling on the merits of the claims or order any cases to be reopened on our subsidiary, the CPC Home Attendant Program (CPCHAP).

CPC and CPCHAP have long histories as proud unionized agencies. We fully support home care workers in their call to end 24‑hour shifts and to establish universal 12‑hour split shifts. Like all home care agencies, CPCHAP cannot unilaterally split 24‑hour shifts and has been advocating for state‑level reform for years.

CPC and CPCHAP remain committed to providing essential services to more than 80,000 community members, including older adults and people with disabilities who depend on home care. With the new state legislative session beginning today, we are advocating to the Governor’s Office and State Legislature for policy priorities that invest in services needed to thrive and that promote better wages and conditions for workers providing these services, including Fair Pay for Home Care Workers and Just Pay for Human Services Workers. As a steering committee member of the Fair Pay for Home Care campaign (www.nycaringmajority.org), our focus is on advocating to elected and appointed officials who have the power to make reforms that promote equity and dignity for home care workers. We will continue to work with allies, workers, and patients to urge the Governor and State Legislature to end 24‑hour shifts and to improve worker compensation.

The campaign organizers—not the home care workers—have continued to spread misinformation about CPC and CPCHAP, including but not limited to the following list. Here are corrections to some of their latest claims:

FICTION: CPCHAP is the home care agency with the largest number of 24-hour cases

FACT: CPCHAP has only 24 24-hour cases out of State’s total of 11,000+ 24-hour cases

FICTION: CPCHAP has the authority to split 24-hour cases into two 12-hour split shifts

FACT: The Ain’t I a Woman Campaign’s own legal filing acknowledges that the State Department of Health and Managed Care Organizations have the authority to do so via Medicaid

FICTION: CPCHAP has stolen $90 million from home care workers

FACT: The Ain’t I a Woman Campaign has a significantly smaller amount listed in their own legal filings

FICTION: CPCHAP was awarded a $7 billion contract for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)

FACT: PPL was awarded the CDPAP Single Fiscal Intermediary contract and CPCHAP’s budget has decreased by 75%

FICTION: CPCHAP is retaliating against employees for logging their work hours or for limiting new assignments

FACT: CPCHAP is in full compliance with labor regulations as reflected in recent audits from the NYC Human Resources Administration and the NYS Office of Medicaid Inspector General. CPCHAP serves a set number of home care clients, and reassignments are only possible when a client opening arises, such as when another worker resigns

FICTION: CPC was awarded part of the State’s $20 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative

FACT: CPC has received zero dollars and CPC served on the advisory board that recommended other Chinatown organizations and projects to receive the funding

FICTION: CPC is advocating against the No More 24 Act

FACT: CPC has taken no stance on this bill and has not testified or met with the City Council about this bill