Is this the end of Twinkies?

[bozack]

well now they won't be as tired since they will just have to walk to the mailbox for an unemployment check

 

[Doppel]

It's now official, they are going out of business. Time to stock up on Twinkies!!!

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/11/16/hostess-going-out-of-business/

Warm congratulations to the workers who called Hostess' bluff and lost, morons.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Striking Hostess workers standing in solidarity outside the company’s Schiller Park plant on Thursday say, after taking pay cuts in 2004 and 2011, they can’t do it again.

It completely amazes me how modern-day unions can be so blind to financial reality, time and time again.

 

[boomerang]

Look for the Union Label...

The products produced by Hostess were eventually going to be outlawed. All one has to do is gage the political winds to know that. We're going to be told what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat it. Control freaks are running the show and they know what's best.

We'll take from the rich, expand the social safety net and these workers will live better than they did before.

Forward

 

[JoeyP]

After a couple pay cuts, and the grim prospect of what's likely to come, I'd seriously consider employment at another place. There are plenty of unemployed or under employed who would no doubt fill in for exiting workers.

There is no such thing as job security these days. You are your best advocate for compensation and career growth.

 

[Matt1970]

Look for the Union Label...

The products produced by Hostess were eventually going to be outlawed. All one has to do is gage the political winds to know that. We're going to be told what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat it. Control freaks are running the show and they know what's best.

We'll take from the rich, expand the social safety net and these workers will live better than they did before.

Forward

Ya know, normally a statement like that would be extreme and far fetched, but all you need to do is look at what is happening in New York City.

 

[bozack]

Ya know, normally a statement like that would be extreme and far fetched, but all you need to do is look at what is happening in New York City.

even here in little old MA, they have already banned bottled water in one town, another the use of styrofoam and now plastic shopping bags....

In an economy like this I can't see how these type of actions make sense but whatever this is what people obviously wanted so that is what we get.

 

[boomerang]

Ya know, normally a statement like that would be extreme and far fetched, but all you need to do is look at what is happening in New York City.

That's right. Although I think those in power may have preferred to keep these foods on the market with an extremely heavy sin tax on them.

 

[boomerang]

even here in little old MA, they have already banned bottled water in one town, another the use of styrofoam and now plastic shopping bags....

In an economy like this I can't see how these type of actions make sense but whatever this is what people obviously wanted so that is what we get.

You'll know we're in trouble when they start banning the products that keep their townspeople, the people in their own state employed.

 

[CPA]

30% of Hostess' workers (the Baker's Union) caused 18,000 people to lose their job. Thanks again unions. Sickening.

 

[CPA]

BTW, CEO of Hostess on CNBC right now. Asked if the Baker's Union called right now and said they would end their strike and go back to work would Hostess stay open. CEO: "It's too late. We're done."

Also, the biggest issue was that since the Bakers were on strike, they didn't have enough workers making products. Even with managers, non-strikers and other non-union personnel running the floors, it wasn't enough people to keep the product at levels to break even.

 

[PokerGuy]

No job is better than a job making $8 an hour

You're one of the idiots who feel such a sense of entitlement that they think it's better to have no job and be a leach on society getting handouts from the government than to have a job that doesn't pay what you want to make. We should stop handing out money and benefits to leaches with that mentality.

 

[sm625]

The thing people fail comprehend is that people run a business to make money. If you cant make enough money running a business, then why not sell it? Especially if you can make considerably more money just standing outside the Federal Reserve Bank of New York with a giant net. This is why Ron Paul and others kept saying "End the Fed, End the Fed". Because they are disincenting capital formation and basically destroying this country, in their quest to print money and give it to the rich. But no... too many people are too attached to their pet theories and preconceived notions about how the system works that they dont even bother to try and understand where money and power flows. You are getting what you wanted. You want to be ignorant, so bend over and prepare yourself. Just imagine its a twinkie being shoved up in there.

 

[PokerGuy]

BTW, CEO of Hostess on CNBC right now. Asked if the Baker's Union called right now and said they would end their strike and go back to work would Hostess stay open. CEO: "It's too late. We're done."

Also, the biggest issue was that since the Bakers were on strike, they didn't have enough workers making products. Even with managers, non-strikers and other non-union personnel running the floors, it wasn't enough people to keep the product at levels to break even.

As usual, worthless unions screwing everyone, now 18,000 workers are out of a job. Thanks unions, good work as usual!

 

[mikegg]

30% of Hostess' workers (the Baker's Union) caused 18,000 people to lose their job. Thanks again unions. Sickening.

Well, another bakery will increase sales and hire more people. No big deal.

 

[Dulanic]

The CEO just went on Today too.... something smells fishy though... why would a CEO be running around spreading the word of the companies demise? Is he still getting a pay check while he does this? I'm sure he is. I'm not saying the unions are doing the right thing... but something just seems... off.

 

[JoeyP]

Also, the biggest issue was that since the Bakers were on strike, they didn't have enough workers making products. Even with managers, non-strikers and other non-union personnel running the floors, it wasn't enough people to keep the product at levels to break even.

At this point, I would consider hiring people who WANT to work. Last time I checked, Texas has some unemployed people, many of whom would love the opportunity to earn a paycheck again.

 

[theevilsharpie]

The CEO just went on Today too.... something smells fishy though... why would a CEO be running around spreading the word of the companies demise? Is he still getting a pay check while he does this? I'm sure he is. I'm not saying the unions are doing the right thing... but something just seems... off.

The company isn't literally liquidating

The company has to be wound down in an orderly fashion, and it wouldn't surprise me if the company management's agreement with creditors and the bankruptcy court included a clause about protecting the goodwill of the company's brands to the maximum extent possible. Given the politics involved, it's not surprising that the CEO is trying to keep the media focused on management's side of the story.

 

[Dulanic]

The company isn't literally liquidating

The company has to be wound down in an orderly fashion, and it wouldn't surprise me if the company management's agreement with creditors and the bankruptcy court included a clause about protecting the goodwill of the company's brands to the maximum extent possible. Given the politics involved, it's not surprising that the CEO is trying to keep the media focused on management's side of the story.

Oh I'm sure... I know there is a more to this story than just a union. From what I've previously read they were already planning on shutting down a bunch of plants as they were running about ~40% of capacity. In fact, that same CEO has been caught lying about the reason for some previous plant closures trying to blame employees instead of a failing company....

There is no arguing that Hostess has failed to keep up with the times and be innovative. Hostess continued to create the same old products that people typically link with obesity like Twinkies. Do any of these products look "new" or healthy? There has been a strong push towards healthier foods/snacks... even if many times it is misplaced. But there is 0 doubt that the demand for these products would go down....

That's not saying I agree with the union or what they did... I think they made a grave mistake.... but to put the blame solely on them is a joke. There is blame for the mismanagement, there is blame for the unions, there is blame for everyone. This just happened to be the final straw that broke the camels back as they say.

 

[PokerGuy]

This just happened to be the final straw that broke the camels back as they say.

That may or many not be true, but regardless, there are now 18k workers who will have no job within a week or two because of the unions. What kind of idiots would mount a general strike at a company that's teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, thus putting their employment in severe peril? Union idiots, that's who.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Well, another bakery will increase sales and hire more people. No big deal.

Unless they buy the rights to Hostess products they won't be making these said products.

 

[Engineer]

Warm congratulations to the workers who called Hostess' bluff and lost, morons.

This. Having been in the same situation (not in the union but working at a place and watching the union destroy it), I'll never understand the mentality that these people have of holding their ground to the point of losing their jobs. There has to be some sort of balance. Sadly, there usually is none.

 

[michal1980]

Oh I'm sure... I know there is a more to this story than just a union. From what I've previously read they were already planning on shutting down a bunch of plants as they were running about ~40% of capacity. In fact, that same CEO has been caught lying about the reason for some previous plant closures trying to blame employees instead of a failing company....

There is no arguing that Hostess has failed to keep up with the times and be innovative. Hostess continued to create the same old products that people typically link with obesity like Twinkies. Do any of these products look "new" or healthy? There has been a strong push towards healthier foods/snacks... even if many times it is misplaced. But there is 0 doubt that the demand for these products would go down....

That's not saying I agree with the union or what they did... I think they made a grave mistake.... but to put the blame solely on them is a joke. There is blame for the mismanagement, there is blame for the unions, there is blame for everyone. This just happened to be the final straw that broke the camels back as they say.

all those products look awesome and tasty.

 

[Dulanic]

That may or many not be true, but regardless, there are now 18k workers who will have no job within a week or two because of the unions. What kind of idiots would mount a general strike at a company that's teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, thus putting their employment in severe peril? Union idiots, that's who.

Yet at the same time... the top dogs were taking pay raises? That seems the right way to avoid it right? Who would grant pay raises when the company is on the edge of bankruptcy? Fat cat executives who think they have a RIGHT to make extra money as a company is failing, that's who.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304072004577323993512506050.html

Some creditors question Hostess pay raises approved in late July.

Brian Driscoll, CEO, around $750,000 to $2,550,000
Gary Wandschneider, EVP, $500,000 to $900,000
John Stewart, EVP, $400,000 to $700,000
David Loeser, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
Kent Magill, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
Richard Seban, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
John Akeson, SVP, $300,000 to $480,000
Steven Birgfeld, SVP, $240,000 to $360,000
Martha Ross, SVP, $240,000 to $360,000
Rob Kissick, SVP, $182,000 to $273,008
NOTE: Some executives didn't take full raise.

THAT cost I am sure as costly or more so than the pay cut they were asking the bakers to take... this story is not NEARLY as one sided as you think it is. The executive obviously KNEW it was a sinking ship and were trying to squeeze out as much money into their own pockets as they could as fast as they could.

 

[umbrella39]

The level of stupid displayed in their thread is uncommon even for P&N standards. The anti-union fucktards need to get a clue...