Amazon.com Inc. says it’s hiring 50,000 temporary workers at order-fulfillment centers across the U.S. this holiday season.
The Seattle-based online retailer says it expects “thousands” of those it hires to stay on full time. Amazon has two fulfillment centers in Washington: in Sumner and Bellevue.
A public relations firm hired by the company to trumpet the holiday hiring told The News Tribune on Tuesday that specifics were unavailable on how many people might be hired in Sumner. Other information that was unavailable included the number of current employees in Sumner; the hours and wages people could expect from the seasonal jobs; and the percentage of employees at the fulfillment centers classified as full-time.
In a news release, the company said full-time workers get stock grants and benefits. The company said its full-time employees make 30 percent more than traditional retail employees, and that stock grants have added an average 9 percent to base pay over the last five years.
Tuesday’s announcement follows hiring announcements from major retailers.
Among those, Macy’s Inc. plans to hire 80,000 seasonal workers, while Walmart Stores Inc. plans to add 50,000. Toys R Us Inc. plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers this year.
Staff writer Kathleeen Cooper contributed to this report.
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