WASHINGTON, DC - Entities in the industry that went up against a federal mandate requiring vaccines for those working in large businesses walked away victorious late last week. The ruling, handed down by the Supreme Court, would have impacted some 84 million private sector employees and would have required all businesses with 100 or more workers to either be vaccinated or be tested weekly, according to NPR.

“We are happy that the Supreme Court of the United States sided with private enterprise to not enforce a federal mandate as we believe our Associates should have the freedom to choose whether or not they receive the vaccine,” commented Tony Sarsam, President and Chief Executive Officer of SpartanNash. “We were prepared to comply with the ETS mandate and will continue to strongly encourage vaccination, and administer them throughout our pharmacies. However, we agree with the ruling since we felt the ETS placed a burden on businesses that are already battling the most challenging labor market and supply chain environment we have ever faced. The ETS could have led to disastrous consequences impacting millions of people by crippling our supply chain and increasing food insecurity for Americans. Having one less barrier for our hard-working Associates, who are vital to keeping America’s supply chain moving forward, will help us continue to best deliver the ingredients for a better life to our customers.”

Many industries, including ours, saw businesses join oral arguments before the court on the legality of the mandate. Among them was the National Retail Federation, which shared support in blocking the federal move.

“While NRF has maintained a strong and consistent position related to the importance of vaccines in helping to overcome this pandemic, the Supreme Court’s decision to stay OSHA’s onerous and unprecedented ETS is a significant victory for employers. As NRF and other plaintiffs articulated in our briefs before the court, OSHA clearly exceeded its authority promulgating its original mandate under emergency powers without giving stakeholders the benefit of a rulemaking process,” Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French said on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reimpose a stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA).

“NRF urges the Biden Administration to discard this unlawful mandate and instead work with employers, employees, and public health experts on practical ways to increase vaccination rates and mitigate the spread of the virus in 2022,” French continued.

More than 26 trade associations presented on behalf of their industries in the hopes of such a decision. As the industry continues to address the pandemic on multiple fronts, AndNowUKnow will report the latest.