We are entering a post baby boom period where before, the employer always had an advantage over the pool of labor and could “set” wages. Now there is more of a balance between labor and employer and the employers have not adjusted their mind set. This balancing of labor vs employer is good thing IMO. The USA was rapidly becoming a 3rd world worker’s hell. Soon some will realize the situation and raise wages and drive those that can’t adjust out of business buy scooping up all the labor.
Yes, there were many people who retired during the pandemic.