An encouraging labor market is projected for Southeast Missouri this spring, based on the latest poll of quarterly staffing plans.

After polling local employers, the employment outlook survey results found that 23 percent are intending to add personnel during the spring months, none foresees labor cutbacks and 77 percent will stay with current payrolls.

Peggy Gates, Cape Girardeau district manager for Manpower, said that for the April-June period a year ago, the outlook was excellent when 40 percent said they would upgrade their staffing levels, while none expected fewer workers on the job. Employers were enthusiastic three months ago as 30 percent project work force additions and 10 percent planned staff reductions.

This spring, job opportunities appear most likely in nondurable goods manufacturing, transportation/public utilities, wholesale/retail trade, services and public administration.

The national picture reveals that 22 percent of the employers interviewed intend to staff up this spring, while 9 percent said they would trim their rolls. Another 63 percent plan to maintain present levels, while 6 percent have not finalized their plans for the April-June quarter.

Manpower Inc. conducts the Employment Outlook Survey in the U.S. on a quarterly basis. It is a measurement of employers' intentions to increase or decrease the permanent workforce. In its 27-year history, it has been a significant indicator of employment trends, Gates said.

The survey is based on telephone interviews with nearly 16,000 public and private employers in 468 U.S. markets.