sometimes companies operate only when they have a current contract which normally is a good sized one, when the contract is accomplished the work force is probably suspended until a new contract is found

in this case a new contract for work is in the process of being finalized and when it is there will be jobs needing to be filled

yes you are in a holding pattern

It is wordy for "wait".

We are waiting on getting more work so that we can hire more people. Until that happens, and it may not happen, we cannot hire more people.

It means they don't have any jobs available right now.

When a woman says, "I have to wash my hair", it means she wouldn't go out with you under any circumstances. Learn this.