Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

Workforce & Labor Concerns Dominate BNP’s annual Member Pulse Report

Blog Categories

October 2, 2021

The Partnership’s annual Advocacy & Member Survey is designed to identify pain points, areas of concern, and obstacles to growth. We have summarized the 2021 results in the Member Pulse Report.

According to the survey, the top concern of Buffalo Niagara employers is their difficulty finding and retaining qualified talent.

“Employers in our region faced talent shortages before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has only made that problem worse,” said Dottie Gallagher, President & CEO of the BNP. “Skilled employees are in high demand, so effectively training workers and connecting them with employers is essential for our regional economy’s future success.”

The Member Pulse Report also revealed:

  • employer attitudes toward mandated COVID-19 vaccines
  • sentiment on regional assets including the Buffalo Bills
  • perceptions of the regional and state business climate, and forecasts for the year ahead
  • pain caused by the ongoing closure of the U.S.-Canada border
  • a strong majority of employers are planning or considering allowing employees to work remotely for the long-term
  • and much more

Last year’s top concern of COVID-19’s economic impact fell to the bottom of this year’s list following vaccination progress and the relaxation of pandemic business restrictions.

The information included in the Member Pulse Report influences the BNP’s government affairs and economic development work. Member input is also used to help develop our annual Advocacy Agenda – encompassing the organization’s federal, state, and local policy priorities - which will be released in early January 2022.

To read the complete report and download your own copy, click here.

Related Posts

9.28.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS To Raise Minimum Wage

By growthzone | September 28, 2021

The New York State Department of Labor announced a forthcoming increase in the minimum wage across upstate New York.

On December 31, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $13.20 per hour, a 70-cent increase from the current rate.

9/24/21 Webisode: Navigating the New Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employers

By growthzone | September 27, 2021

President Joe Biden recently announced a new mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.

9.20.21 Advocacy Alert: Border Closure Extended Through October

By growthzone | September 20, 2021

This morning, the U.S. federal government announced that it will be extending its closure to Canadian travelers through October 21.

Non-essential Canadian travelers have been banned from entering the U.S. since March 2020. Despite calls from the BNP, numerous members of Congress, and chambers across the nation to open the border, the Biden administration has not relented in its approach – even after Canada opened its doors to American travelers in August.

9.9.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Biden To Mandate “Vax or Test” Requirement for Large Employers

By growthzone | September 9, 2021

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.