UPS to hire 100,000 workers to handle peak holiday volume surge

UPS Inc. said today it expects to hire about 100,000 seasonal employees to support the anticipated increase in peak-season package volume that begins in November and continues through January 2019 with post-holiday returns.

The full- and part-time seasonal positions - primarily package handlers, drivers and driver-helpers - have long been an entry point for permanent employment at UPS, based on the Atlanta-based company's estimates. Over the last three years, 35 percent of the people hired by UPS for seasonal package handler jobs were later hired in a permanent position when the holidays were over, the company said. Many senior executives including Chairman and CEO David P. Abney started their UPS careers as part-time employees.

Separately, XPO Logistics, Inc., the transport and logistics firm, said it will hire 8,000 seasonal jobs in North America to manage its holiday rush. XPO, which focuses on the movement of heavier goods, said its "retail logistics" volume—goods moving to stores and residences--through August is up 20 percent over the first eight months in 2017. The growth is being fueled by consumer demand for e-commerce and omnichannel retail fulfillment, the Greenwich, Conn.-based company said.

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. said last week it plans to hire about 55,000 seasonal employees for its peak period.