Courier and messenger payrolls grew by 14,300 last month, extending an 11-month hiring spree, according to seasonally adjusted preliminary employment figures the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday.
UPS posted a 9% jump in shipments in the fourth quarter on increased business from Amazon.com Inc. At the same time, the online behemoth is delivering more of its own packages through a growing network of delivery contractors driving Amazon-branded vans. Trucking companies added 3,200 jobs last month. It was the strongest growth in a year and came as freight operators contend with slack transportation demand amid sluggish industrial activity.