Is this the end of Twinkies?

[Matt1970]

LOL a > 20% pay cut was how they previously rewarded 23 years of service....and now they wanted more... I would have quit too.

Keeping a factory open that was losing money for so long just so workers could have a job and this is how they are thanked.

 

[Dulanic]

Keeping a factory open that was losing money for so long just so workers could have a job and this is how they are thanked.

LOL yeah that's what they were doing it for. While they give themselves raises and cut the shit out of the workers pay... That was their goal... right.

Not that I expect it to be their goal. But your comment is just fucking stupid.

 

[sactoking]

11-22-2012

http://news.yahoo.com/twinkies-bakers-theyd-rather-lose-jobs-pay-cuts-075558559--finance.html

Twinkies bakers say they'd rather lose jobs than take pay cuts



Enough is enough, say bakery workers at Hostess Brands Inc.

Interviews with more than a dozen workers showed there was little sign of regret from employees who voted for the strike. They said they would rather lose their jobs than put up with lower wages and poorer benefits.

"They're just taking from us," said Kenneth Johnson, 46, of Missouri.

He said he earned roughly $35,000 with overtime last year, down from about $45,000 five years ago.

"I really can't afford to not be working, but this is not worth it. I'd rather go work somewhere else or draw unemployment," said Johnson, a worker at Hostess for 23 years.

With 18,500 workers, Hostess has 12 different unions including the BCTGM, which has about 5,600 members on the bread and snack item production lines, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents about 7,500 route sales representatives, drivers and other employees.

Unlike some non-unionized rivals, the maker of Wonder Bread and Drake's cakes had to navigate more than 300 labor contracts, with terms that often strained efficiency and competitiveness, Hostess officials have said.

FRUSTRATIONS, COMPLAINTS

Workers had a laundry list of frustrations, from rising healthcare costs to decreased wages and delayed pension benefits. They even cited a $10-per-week per worker charge they said Hostess claimed was needed to boost company capital.

"They have taken and taken and taken from us," said Debi White, who has worked at Hostess for 26 years, most recently as a bun handler at its bread and roll plant in Lenexa, Kansas.

"They have been walking around stomping their foot saying either you give in ... or else we're going to close you now. Well, go ahead, we're tired of their threats," she said. "That's how we feel."

On Wednesday, Hostess' lawyer Heather Lennox said the company had received a "flood of inquiries" from potential buyers for several brands that could be sold at auction, and expects initial bidders within a few weeks.

With operations stalled, the company that makes Twinkies and other famous U.S. brands said last week that liquidating its business was the best way to preserve its dwindling cash. It won court approval on Wednesday to start winding down in a process expected to claim 15,000 jobs immediately and over 3,000 more after about four months.

What I see here: 3,000 workers said "We'd rather deprive 15,000 people who were willing to work for less of their jobs than work for less ourselves."

The people of "shared sacrifice" and "collective good" weren't willing to share in the sacrifice for the collective good. Hypocrites.

 

[michal1980]

These workers act like they are slaves. Dont like the money? Dont like the work? Whats stoping you from leaving?

 

[Engineer]

What I see here: 3,000 workers said "We'd rather deprive 15,000 people who were willing to work for less of their jobs than work for less ourselves."

The people of "shared sacrifice" and "collective good" weren't willing to share in the sacrifice for the collective good. Hypocrites.

If the 15,000 people were willing to work, could they not just vote to de-certify the union and keep right on working (or even cross the picket line)? (serious questions).

As for people saying that they all should have took one for the better of the company (to keep open), I agree but have to add one item: EVERYONE, including management should have taken one for the sinking ship. I can now see why they stood their ground (even though I don't agree 100% with it).

 

[Dulanic]

As for people saying that they all should have took one for the better of the company (to keep open), I agree but have to add one item: EVERYONE, including management should have taken one for the sinking ship. I can now see why they stood their ground (even though I don't agree 100% with it).

That's my feeling... do as you ask me to do and I will stand with you type deal.

 

[sactoking]

If the 15,000 people were willing to work, could they not just vote to de-certify the union and keep right on working (or even cross the picket line)? (serious questions).

It was two separate unions. Apparently the 15,000 line workers are (were) represented as Teamsters bit the 3,000 bakers were represented by a different union. The Teamsters are pissed that the bakers screwed the whole thing up.

 

[Engineer]

It was two separate unions. Apparently the 15,000 line workers are (were) represented as Teamsters bit the 3,000 bakers were represented by a different union. The Teamsters are pissed that the bakers screwed the whole thing up.

Ah. That's really screwed up that there are multiple unions there. (er...were multiple....)

 

[Matt1970]

What I see here: 3,000 workers said "We'd rather deprive 15,000 people who were willing to work for less of their jobs than work for less ourselves."

The people of "shared sacrifice" and "collective good" weren't willing to share in the sacrifice for the collective good. Hypocrites.

Yep, don't forget about the 15,000 other people who were willing to work for less just to have a job. The union took those people down with them. Good job. Everyone equal in misery.

 

[CitizenKain]

Congratulations to another company ran into the ground by shit management, way to go Hostess. I can't believe that some people on here blame unions, but then again those same people don't seem very bright either. Maybe people should be looking at the CEO that helped run the company into the ground so he'd get a handout.

Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn's executive resume, per Businessweek and LinkedIn:

CEO, Hostess Brands: February 2012 – Present (10 months)
CRO, Indiana Live Casino and Indiana Downs Racetrack: February 2011 – April 2012 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, NYCOTB: July 2010 – January 2011 (7 months)
CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp. March 2009 – May 2010 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, Muzak: 2005 – 2006 (1 year)
CRO, AAIPharma Services Corp.: 2004 – 2005 (1 year)
CRO, WorldCom: 2003 – 2004 (1 year)
CEO. Sunterra: 2002 – 2003 (1 year)
Co-Founder, Capstone Equity: 1999 – 2001 (2 years)

Looks like he hops from failing company to failing company, interesting. Hell, he can barely hold a job for more then a year.

 

[trenchfoot]

Congratulations to another company ran into the ground by shit management, way to go Hostess. I can't believe that some people on here blame unions, but then again those same people don't seem very bright either. Maybe people should be looking at the CEO that helped run the company into the ground so he'd get a handout.

Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn's executive resume, per Businessweek and LinkedIn:

CEO, Hostess Brands: February 2012 – Present (10 months)
CRO, Indiana Live Casino and Indiana Downs Racetrack: February 2011 – April 2012 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, NYCOTB: July 2010 – January 2011 (7 months)
CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp. March 2009 – May 2010 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, Muzak: 2005 – 2006 (1 year)
CRO, AAIPharma Services Corp.: 2004 – 2005 (1 year)
CRO, WorldCom: 2003 – 2004 (1 year)
CEO. Sunterra: 2002 – 2003 (1 year)
Co-Founder, Capstone Equity: 1999 – 2001 (2 years)

Looks like he hops from failing company to failing company, interesting. Hell, he can barely hold a job for more then a year.

And yet methinks he made a shitload of $$$ from every one of those companies he was associated with. A true hit and run shoot-n-scoot expert if I've ever seen one.

 

[Matt1970]

Congratulations to another company ran into the ground by shit management, way to go Hostess. I can't believe that some people on here blame unions, but then again those same people don't seem very bright either. Maybe people should be looking at the CEO that helped run the company into the ground so he'd get a handout.

Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn's executive resume, per Businessweek and LinkedIn:

CEO, Hostess Brands: February 2012 – Present (10 months)
CRO, Indiana Live Casino and Indiana Downs Racetrack: February 2011 – April 2012 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, NYCOTB: July 2010 – January 2011 (7 months)
CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp. March 2009 – May 2010 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, Muzak: 2005 – 2006 (1 year)
CRO, AAIPharma Services Corp.: 2004 – 2005 (1 year)
CRO, WorldCom: 2003 – 2004 (1 year)
CEO. Sunterra: 2002 – 2003 (1 year)
Co-Founder, Capstone Equity: 1999 – 2001 (2 years)

Looks like he hops from failing company to failing company, interesting. Hell, he can barely hold a job for more then a year.

And yet the 2 time Hostess had to declare bankruptcy was before this guy came onboard. You Fail.

 

[soundforbjt]

These workers act like they are slaves. Dont like the money? Dont like the work? Whats stoping you from leaving?

I always love this failed argument. "What's stopping you from leaving" Maybe the fact that there's not many jobs available right now for starters.

Employers have workers by the balls right now... most are just happy to have a job.

 

[soundforbjt]

And yet the 2 time Hostess had to declare bankruptcy was before this guy came onboard. You Fail.

You fail. Don't you think his job was to turn the company around? Great job he did.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Yet in the end 18,500 people are without a job and slim chances to find a job that paid them the same as they were making. Upper management on the other hand won't have a difficult time finding another job even in this economy as their job skills are in need.

 

[soundforbjt]

Yet in the end 18,500 people are without a job and slim chances to find a job that paid them the same as they were making. Upper management on the other hand won't have a difficult time finding another job even in this economy as their job skills are in need.

Ironic, isn't it? The guys who ran the company into the ground will have no problem finding another job. Those are job skills in demand?

 

[Engineer]

Ironic, isn't it? The guys who ran the company into the ground will have no problem finding another job. Those are job skills in demand?

It's not the skills, it's who they know. The board of directors is so intertwined with CEO's and has the "good ole boy network" in place that it's easy to get your buddy on the board to give you a new job, especially since you, most likely, sit on another board and would do the same for him.

Like I said...I'm generally anti-union (as most of them stink) but I can see their point of view on this one. Don't necessarily agree with it but don't disagree with it either. There is a point, IMO, where enough is enough.

 

[soundforbjt]

It's not the skills, it's who they know. The board of directors is so intertwined with CEO's and has the "good ole boy network" in place that it's easy to get your buddy on the board to give you a new job, especially since you, most likely, sit on another board and would do the same for him.

Like I said...I'm generally anti-union (as most of them stink) but I can see their point of view on this one. Don't necessarily agree with it but don't disagree with it either. There is a point, IMO, where enough is enough.

I know it's a network. I've been around those people and know how they are from a unique view. I worked shows for the Carlyle Group in various resorts (Pebble Beach, etc). They are some of the biggest movers & shakers around.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

No wonder the teamster's union was onboard with the company's offering.

http://hostessbrands.com/Closed.aspx

The BCTGM in September rejected a last, best and final offer from Hostess Brands designed to lower costs so that the Company could attract new financing and emerge from Chapter 11. Hostess Brands then received Court authority on Oct. 3 to unilaterally impose changes to the BCTGM’s collective bargaining agreements.

Hostess Brands is unprofitable under its current cost structure, much of which is determined by union wages and pension costs. The offer to the BCTGM included wage, benefit and work rule concessions but also gave Hostess Brands’ 12 unions a 25 percent ownership stake in the company, representation on its Board of Directors and $100 million in reorganized Hostess Brands’ debt.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Ironic, isn't it? The guys who ran the company into the ground will have no problem finding another job. Those are job skills in demand?

Company was long in the toilet. I can't really blame someone for having shit on their hands when their job was to stop a terd from getting flushed.

 

[Matt1970]

You fail. Don't you think his job was to turn the company around? Great job he did.

Which is why he was trying to get a deal with the Unions. 13,000 people agreed with the deal. 5000 people decided everyone should be unemployed.

 

[Matt1970]

I always love this failed argument. "What's stopping you from leaving" Maybe the fact that there's not many jobs available right now for starters.

Employers have workers by the balls right now... most are just happy to have a job.

And having a whole bunch of unemployed factory workers in your community is going to make finding a job sooooooo much easier.

 

[Matt1970]

Yet in the end 18,500 people are without a job and slim chances to find a job that paid them the same as they were making. Upper management on the other hand won't have a difficult time finding another job even in this economy as their job skills are in need.

I would say the union pretty much screwed them too.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Congratulations to another company ran into the ground by shit management, way to go Hostess. I can't believe that some people on here blame unions, but then again those same people don't seem very bright either. Maybe people should be looking at the CEO that helped run the company into the ground so he'd get a handout.

Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn's executive resume, per Businessweek and LinkedIn:

CEO, Hostess Brands: February 2012 – Present (10 months)
CRO, Indiana Live Casino and Indiana Downs Racetrack: February 2011 – April 2012 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, NYCOTB: July 2010 – January 2011 (7 months)
CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp. March 2009 – May 2010 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, Muzak: 2005 – 2006 (1 year)
CRO, AAIPharma Services Corp.: 2004 – 2005 (1 year)
CRO, WorldCom: 2003 – 2004 (1 year)
CEO. Sunterra: 2002 – 2003 (1 year)
Co-Founder, Capstone Equity: 1999 – 2001 (2 years)

Looks like he hops from failing company to failing company, interesting. Hell, he can barely hold a job for more then a year.

He is a restructuring / turnaround expert. He comes in a runs companies that are in or near bankruptcy, does his best to fix them, then moves on. That is understood when he is hired.

 

[Lanyap]

Congratulations to another company ran into the ground by shit management, way to go Hostess. I can't believe that some people on here blame unions, but then again those same people don't seem very bright either. Maybe people should be looking at the CEO that helped run the company into the ground so he'd get a handout.

Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn's executive resume, per Businessweek and LinkedIn:

CEO, Hostess Brands: February 2012 – Present (10 months)
CRO, Indiana Live Casino and Indiana Downs Racetrack: February 2011 – April 2012 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, NYCOTB: July 2010 – January 2011 (7 months)
CEO, Magna Entertainment Corp. March 2009 – May 2010 (1 year 3 months)
CEO, Muzak: 2005 – 2006 (1 year)
CRO, AAIPharma Services Corp.: 2004 – 2005 (1 year)
CRO, WorldCom: 2003 – 2004 (1 year)
CEO. Sunterra: 2002 – 2003 (1 year)
Co-Founder, Capstone Equity: 1999 – 2001 (2 years)

Looks like he hops from failing company to failing company, interesting. Hell, he can barely hold a job for more then a year.

If you dug a little deeper you would find that he is a restructuring specialist. He is brought into companies who are already in trouble or bankrupt to try and turn them around.

From wiki:

After receiving an undergraduate and master of arts degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama in 1982 he became a partner for Corporate Recovery Services at Arthur Andersen until 1994.[1]
From 1996 to 1998, Rayburn was CEO of Piece Goods Shops, a Winston-Salem, North Carolina, chain with 318 stores that had gone into bankruptcy in 1991.[2] Under Rayburn the company was sold to Mae's Fabrics.[3]
He was co-founder of Capstone Equity in 1999 and remained there until 2001.
From 2002 to 2003 Rayburn was CEO of Sunterra Resorts which had gone into bankruptcy in 2001.[4] It became Diamond Resorts International.[5]
From 2003 to 2004, he was Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) of Worldcom at a time when it changed its name from Worldcom to MCI. The company eventually emerged from bankruptcy in 2004 and subsequently was purchased by Verizon Communications.[6]
From 2004 to 2005 Rayburn was CRO of AAIPharma Services Corp. in Wilmington, North Carolina. The company had run into trouble in a scandal over its accounting practices in 2004 and went into bankruptcy in 2005 after selling its pharmaceutical division to Xanodyne.[7]
From 2005 to 2006, Rayburn was CEO of Muzak, which was struggling at the time. He failed to turn the company around, and was replaced by Steve Villa who made an unsuccessful attempt to merge with DMX Music. The company eventually went into bankruptcy in 2009–3 years after Rayburn left.[8]
From 2009 to 2010, Rayburn was CEO of thoroughbred horse raising company Magna Entertainment which was in bankruptcy.[9]
From 2010 to 2011, he was CEO of New York City OTB. After the New York Senate rejected his plans for a turn around, he shut the city's OTB operation.[10]
From 2011 to 2012, Rayburn was CRO of the Indiana Downs race track which morphed into the Indiana Grand Casino racino.[11]
In 2010 he started his private consulting business, Kobi Partners, LLC in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
In 2011, Rayburn was named a board member of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, which had gone into bankruptcy.[12]
In March, 2012, he became CEO of Hostess Brands—a month after the company had gone into bankruptcy. He initially was brought in as CRO in February, 2012, to CEO Brian Driscoll but replaced Driscoll within a month.[13] After the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union went on to strike in November, 2012, opposing court ordered wage concessions, he took the company into liquidation.

edit: the DRIZZLE beat me to it.