BILLINGS, Mont., Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Matheson Flight Extenders (MFE) announced today that it hired 44 new employees following a statewide recruitment campaign from September to October. However, the company is continuing to search for 34 additional part-time workers to help handle the holiday package shipping rush through the end of the year.
"We want to thank the local residents who joined us earlier this fall, and want to extend an invitation for others to become part of the Billings' Matheson team in November and December," said Glen Gates, president of MFE. "Starting in November, we need to hire 34 more workers to fill all available morning and afternoon shifts as Christmas approaches."
Mr. Gates praised the role of electronic and print outlets for keeping the media spotlight on the continuing low unemployment situation in Billings being felt by many firms looking to fill vacancies. For Matheson, 40% of those recently hired heard about the company's job openings through the media.
"We track statistics about the composition of those applying and found that of the 44 workers hired, 28% came through online job posting sites like Craig's List and Monster.com. Some 24% found us through word-of-mouth referrals, 21% from newspaper coverage, 19% from TV news broadcasts, and 5% from local college and high school placement centers. Forty percent of the hires were only looking for seasonal work, and 12% had been employed in the Bakken Oil Fields but are back in Billings for the winter." Mr. Gates observed. "Overall, 18% are looking for extra holiday cash, and some 55% of Matheson's team members in Billings work with the company as their second jobs."
According to Mr. Gates, while more than 100 people recently applied, fewer than half were accepted due to health factors, physical conditions, ability to pass a security background check or because some applicants were either unable to connect with Matheson or be reached for follow up.
"We have made it easier and more convenient for candidates to apply using hand-held mobile devices," said Steve Cary, Corporate Recruiter for Matheson. "Now all prospective applicants have to do is go to the website (www.mathesoninc.com/careers) to fill out the application, or simply scan the Quick Response Code shown below using a mobile device."
Friends and family connections rank high as a source of new workers. Some 13% of employees have family members at Matheson. Fathers and sons are working together, so are husbands and wives, brothers, sisters and other relatives. Forty percent of Matheson's employees are women, and several retirees also work for the company in Billings.
In September, Matheson had a total of 79 employees covering 95 shifts per day, with 16 of these employees working both a.m. and p.m. shifts. Currently, the company has 116 employees covering the workload normally requiring 121 team members. By mid-November the company will need enough workers to cover 135 shifts -- a figure that will increase to 150 shifts by December 2 to cope with the busiest shipping season of the year.
As an incentive for new hires, a $50 bonus will be paid each month to employees with a consistent and satisfactory attendance record from now through December as a way to reward continuous service and loyalty. With colder weather approaching, the company also has a plan enabling employees to receive an up front advance of $100 to purchase warm clothing and repay Matheson $10 per week.
Starting pay for entry-level Material Handlers at $11.20 per hour is well above minimum wage. The shift that needs workers starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 8:30 a.m., Tuesdays through Saturday, as well as for shifts starting at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. in the evening Monday through Saturday. MFE also offers part-time employees access to group medical, dental and vision plans at competitive rates. By working both a.m. and p.m. shifts, workers can double their income.
Full-time positions can also be filled as workers demonstrate proficiency, dedication and consistent attendance. Employee candidates must be at least 16 years of age, pass drug and background checks and be able to lift 50 pounds. On-the-job training is provided and employees may become certified as motorized equipment operators for ramp tractors, de-icing vehicles, belt loaders, aircraft pushback tractors, ground power units and other machinery.
Matheson Flight Extenders, with operations at the Billings Logan International Airport, is based in Sacramento, California. The company provides a comprehensive range of ground support and terminal handling services to its customers in 20 hub cities coast-to-coast and has 700 employees nationwide. In Billings, the company is located on the airport grounds at 2191 Overlook Drive west of the control tower.
