The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Friday in a case challenging the Biden administration’s workplace vaccine mandates, including one that requires COVID-19 vaccines or testing at companies with 100 or more employees. Arguing in favor of the mandates, the U.S. Solicitor General wrote that they were needed to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths. Those challenging the mandate, including businesses and Republican-led states, argued the mandates exceed the Biden administration’s authority. As arguments got underway, some members of the court’s conservative majority expressed skepticism for workplace rules.
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in December, according to new federal data released today. While the overall unemployment rate is dropping – there is a stark difference when it comes to a worker’s race. The unemployment rate for white workers in December was 3.2%. But for black workers, the unemployment rate rose to 7.1%. This report also showed hiring slowed in December – in contrast to a rosier report released earlier this week by New Jersey-based ADP. Workers’ wages have risen 4.7% over the past 12 months – but that’s still not keeping up with the rate of inflation.
One business leader says the state should do more to help companies desperate to hire workers. Tom Bracken, the president and CEO of the State Chamber of Commerce says the Murphy administration should consider sweetening its Return and Earn program – companies that participate in that program get workplace training money from the state – and newly hired workers get a bonus of a few hundred dollars. Bracken is a member of the NJPBS board of trustees.
