UPS Set to Hire Over 100,000 Holiday Workers, Matching Last Year's Numbers
UPS is gearing up for the holiday season by planning to hire more than 100,000 workers, a number consistent with its hiring levels over the past three years. These seasonal workers will benefit from higher pay compared to last year, as part of a recently approved five-year contract with the Teamsters union. Seasonal package drivers will receive an hourly rate of $23, while package handlers will earn $21 during the holiday period. This represents an increase from the previous year's hourly rates of $21 for drivers and $15.50 for package handlers.
Despite the improved pay rates, the tight job market raises uncertainty about the ease of finding these seasonal workers, according to Matt Lavery, UPS's director of global sourcing, recruiting, and onboarding. Factors such as a shortage of younger individuals with driver's licenses, particularly in areas with robust public transportation options, pose challenges in filling UPS driver positions. Nonetheless, UPS continues to promote seasonal jobs as potential pathways to year-round employment, with nearly 50,000 seasonal employees securing permanent positions in the past two years. The company has also streamlined its hiring process, allowing most applicants to receive a job offer within 20 minutes of submitting an online application.
United Parcel Service (UPS) reported a disappointing start to the year with first-quarter earnings revealing a 5.3% drop in revenue and a 31.5% plunge in operating profit compared to last year.