Oct 13, 2009

Many have fewer openings, but work is availableBy Chris OttsCourier-Journal.com

All you want for Christmas is a job? That’s a real possibility in the Louisville area — at least for temporary work, as employers such as UPS and department stores begin looking for holiday workers.

But there will likely be fewer jobs than in years past as employers reduce hires and instead increase hours for existing workers, a trend playing out across the country.

UPS, for example, is looking to hire about 650 part-time workers to help with the season’s shipping rush at its global air hub at Louisville International Airport, spokesman Mike Mangeot said. Most of the jobs are for package handlers, paying $8.50 per hour.

Last year the company hired about 900 for the holiday season, and the figure was about 1,100 in 2007. Mangeot said the recession has cut into the number of packages the company anticipates, and turnover has been low.

Target, which just opened a new store in Middletown and a rebuilt store in St. Matthews, also cites low turnover in explaining why it will take on fewer temporary workers. Spokeswoman Heather Christensen said stores have current workers pick up more hours instead.

But some Louisville stores are hiring all the same, despite the weak economy.

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