Initial and continuing jobless claims in Iowa both down last week
$7,760,594.26 in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out in the state last week, a weekly decrease of $901,155.40 (10.40%). Author: Local 5 News, Elizabeth Christy, Mario Rossi Published: 1:52 PM CDT May 7, 2021 Updated: 1:52 PM CDT May 7, 2021
IOWA, USA 3,375 initial unemployment claims were filed last week in Iowa, a decrease of 580 (14.66%) from the previous week.
3,027 initial claims for the week of April 25-May 1 were by people who work and live in Iowa, and 348 were by individuals who work in Iowa but live outside the state.
For the week ending May 1, 2021, nearly 54.2% of claimants indicated their claims were not COVID-19 related, which is an increase from 50.7% the previous week, Iowa Workforce Development said in a release.
POLITICO
Jobs surprise triggers battle over federal aid
For conservatives, the report suggested that generous pandemic-era benefits are discouraging workers from taking jobs, while progressives argue corporate America has to offer higher wages.
A sign looking to hire employees is displayed at the entrance to a Bed, Bath and Beyond store in Miami. | Marta Lavandier/AP Photo
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The steady jobs recovery from Covid-19 slowed dramatically in April, stunning Wall Street analysts and raising questions about the strength of the pandemic comeback and the impact of generous unemployment benefits.
The government said Friday that the economy created 266,000 jobs in April a strong number in ordinary times but sharply below the Wall Street consensus of nearly 1 million, driven by reopenings in the beaten-down leisure and hospitality sectors as vaccinations continue.
Fri, 05/07/2021 - 12:38pm tim
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Regular weekly unemployment claims continue to grow to their highest levels this year and remain at a very high level, as claimants were required to refile based on their annual eligibility. The Vermont Department of Labor has also reverted to call-in only for new claims, as the online system has been barraged by large numbers of fraudulent filings.
In addition, Commissioner Michael Harrington is urging the Legislature to change the law regarding how employers are charged to meet UI Trust Fund obligations (see his letter below).
The Vermont UI Trust Fund was well-stocked with over $500 million before the pandemic and is still flush with over $200 million. Despite the Stay Home order from a year ago and layoffs at their highest levels since the Great Depression because of the pandemic, current law would require a steep increase in employer charges because of those pandemic-related layoffs. At current l
As pandemic continues and nearly 500,000 file for unemployment, US states seek to blackmail workers back on the job
As part of the bipartisan assault by the ruling class to blackmail workers back into accepting low-paying, dangerous work in crowded factories and dangerous face-to-face service, retail and hospitality industries, moves are being made to eliminate any COVID-19-related health, safety and social assistance, including extended weekly unemployment payments.
The latest attacks on the health and well-being of the working class come even as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country, with nearly 5,000 reported deaths in the last week alone and over 590,000 since February 2020, a figure which has been shown to be a vast undercount.
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A series of employment-related actions in President Biden’s first 100 days in office signal the likelihood of additional actions and legislative proposals. Employers should expect a decidedly pro-worker tilt.
COVID-19
President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) on March 11, 2021. It includes the following programs impacting employees and former employees:
Expanded unemployment. The APRA extends the following unemployment programs until September 6, 2021: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (additional $300 weekly payments on top of state unemployment benefits), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (aid to those who exhaust state benefits) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (aid to those traditionally ineligible for unemployment assistance, such as independent contractors and self-employed individuals).