LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Louisville’s biggest employer, UPS, is boosting the starting pay at its Worldport air hub from the current $14.50 per hour to at least $16.50, a reflection of the tight job market.
“We took a look at the market, and it’s very competitive out there,” UPS spokesman Jim Mayer said.
UPS said Wednesday that package handlers and data-entry workers called “admins” at Worldport, which is part of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, will receive the increases starting July 18*.
At the same time, UPS is eliminating weekly attendance bonuses worth up to $425 that had been used as a short-term carrot to get people to stay on the job. The company will still pay a $50 bonus to employees who work the day shift on Sundays.
Starting July 18, night shift package handlers and admins (called ‘Next Day Air’) will earn at least $18.50 per hour, while those on the day shift (‘Second Day Air’) will earn at least $16.50. Package handlers load and unload trucks and airplanes.
UPS is mandated by its contract with the Teamsters union to increase its starting pay to $15 per hour on Aug. 1.
The higher base wages for Worldport are guaranteed through Jan. 15, 2022.
“At that point, we’ll take a look at market conditions and make a decision about what it might be going forward,” Mayer said.
Mayer added that UPS encourages unemployment recipients to take advantage of Gov. Andy Beshear’s $1,500 ‘back-to-work’ bonus.
In another step to ease hiring, UPS dropped the requirement of an in-person interview. Applicants still need to pass a TSA background check. Applications are processed entirely online https://www.jobs-ups.com/
“Right now, if you apply on a Wednesday, you should be working that following Monday,” Mayer said.
*UPS first said the pay raises would take effect July 11, but spokesman Jim Mayer the correct date is July 18. This article has been updated.
