Caterpillar Inc. in its earnings announcement today reported its flexible workforce fell by 2,863 to a total of 14,853 at the end of 2013. Its full-time workforce fell by 6,840 to 118,501.  The Peoria, Ill.-based heavy equipment maker reported fourth-quarter revenue fell 10 percent to $14.40 billion compared to the same quarter last year.

UPS reported Jan. 17 that it used 30,000 more temporary employees than expected amid a shorter peak shipping season and a surge in last-minute holiday orders. The company used a total of 85,000 temporary workers during the holiday season. The Atlanta-based firm delivered more than 31 million packages on Dec. 23 alone, 13 percent above the prior-year’s peak day.