Reactions to September’s jobs report, airline cancellations and the debate over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and challenges to Connecticut’s restaurant industry are among the top business news items this morning.
National
In the face of a September jobs report that added much fewer jobs than expected, President Joe Biden expressed optimism in ongoing trends of jobs growth and declining unemployment. While Dow Jones economists anticipated half a million jobs to be added during the month, only 194,000 were created.
The September jobs report is unlikely to impact the Federal Reserve’s plan to begin tapering asset purchases next month. The Fed is focusing on the overall progress of job growth rather than fluctuations in month-to-month patterns, and this condition is expected to meet the economic standards necessary for the taper.
Business trends
A recent cancellation of more than 1,000 flights by Southwest is fueling debate over whether corporate vaccine mandates are effective or disruptive. The airline’s pilots’ union is challenging the mandate in court, saying it could lead to labor shortages and disruptions to air travel, though it denied that the cancellations were linked to this action.
Connecticut
Nearly nine in 10 Connecticut restaurants say the COVID-19 Delta variant has harmed indoor dining demand, according to a recent survey. The Connecticut Restaurant Association highlighted the state’s respondents in the National Restaurant Association’s Poll, saying eateries are also struggling with finding workers and higher supply costs.
