I recommend you take in those extra calories and eat a Twinkie, or three. And do so before all the stores sell out. The labor negotiations between Hostess, the maker of Twinkies and Ding Dong’s, and the unions have stalled, and the unions won’t budge. As a result of union pressure on companies to spend more money, all 18,000 employees of Hostess were laid off today with factory operations permanently suspended.
The company is liquidating their remaining assets, and will be selling all remaining, unsold deserts. All will be gone in a matter of days. Let me reiterate- this next Twinkie you eat will likely be the last you eat. You will probably never eat another one again, and your children the same. Your grandchildren won’t even know what a Twinkie is.
This is all because of greedy goals of the unions that backfired; The unions’ claim that their goal is to provide better pay, benefits, and work hours and conditions for their employees. I question these goals, and I wonder why certain Union Presidents make $500,000 a year, but that’s a different post for another time. This goal of theirs was to provide for the employees, to represent them. But they won’t have any employees to represent anymore.
The company couldn’t afford the conditions laid out by the unions. Hostess put up with strike after strike by the employees, only getting to a major cash flow crisis. Now, all the employees have been laid off, and it’s all because of the unions and their massive inflexibility to work with the companies.
People don’t like unions, as displayed in the recall election of Governor Scott Walker. Companies don’t like unions, as the unions cost the company future sales, and increase their expenses and regulations. Union representation is a myth, the unions aren’t fighting for the union workers, they are simply fighting for the union bosses and their salaries.
I am on the Right to Work Foundation’s email list, I recall getting constant emails all about Union violence and false union representation.
Not only are unions bad for business, they are bad for the union members themselves. The unions are also hurting our children, people like myself. Being in school, I know that there are some really bad teachers. In a non-Right to Work state, it would have taken them over 3 years to be fired because of these very unions.
Well, congrats. You’ve gotten rid of jobs, money, and education. And now the Twinkie, Ding Dong’s, and all the other delicious Hostess snacks that Americans have come to love and enjoy.
I strongly urge you to enjoy those last Hostess products. My personal favorite is the Ding Dong, something of which I will dearly miss, all thanks to the union.
November 17th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
How are you blaming this squarely on the Unions? What about the fact that all the upper management got massive raises, amounting to millions of dollars as Hostess was approaching bankruptcy? Both sides are to blame, don’t try and politicize the loss of thousands of hard working jobs.
November 17th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I am blaming this squarely on the unions because it was the unions who caused the bankruptcies and the closing to occur.
“Hostess, based in Irving, Texas, said it was saddled with costs related to its unionized workforce. The company had been contributing $100 million a year in pension costs for workers; the new contract offer would’ve slashed that to $25 million a year, in addition to wage cuts and a 17 percent reduction in health benefits.” This is taken from an AP article, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gILEG17Ce1TAeCRcBrxMS9jLFe0A?docId=5cda1f3c7f444cf79c480f38faf7ee7a.
The unions caused Hostess to have to provide more and more benefits and higher wages for fewer working hours. When Hostess said they cannot comply any longer because they company simply cannot afford it, the unions went on strike. Because of this strike, Hostess had a major cash flow problem, and the factories were operating at well below 50% capacity. They had no choice but to close because of this strike.
Upper management getting massive raises? Sure, a few executive got raises. But these executives were ones who had originally taken $1 salaries and where not satisfied with that, and therefore got their raises.
I’m not blaming the workers, they are excellent and have done an excellent job. I’m blaming the union bosses and the fundamental idea behind unions
November 17th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Obamacare would of eventually outlawed these snacks anyway.
November 17th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
“What about the fact that all the upper management got massive raises, amounting to millions of dollars as Hostess was approaching bankruptcy? Both sides are to blame, don’t try and politicize the loss of thousands of hard working jobs.”
I’ve got a project for you that you might find interesting.
The Messiah, Obama, keeps drilling our skulls with this crap that GM is alive and well.
After borrowing billions in stimulus to prevent bankruptcy I heard their white collar workers (Chrysler also)all got 4000.00 bonuses, some as high as 10,000.00 before the loan was paid back. Naturally the blue collar union workers were upset claiming they deserve credit for GMs success also.
These bonuses were paid out around Feb 2011 while still owing 27 billion to tax payers so I see no reason to call anything a success or reason to give bonuses.
Seeing as how theres still a balance due on that loan maybe you’d be willing to check this out so we can confirm were being robbed.
If you need any help I’ll be right here.
November 17th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Ryan, I’m with you on the ding dongs. Proper way to eat those is peel all the rubbery chocolate off the top, bottom and sides. Then unable to contain yourself (and when nobody is looking), take a monstrous-sized bite of the naked cake. If you do the job well enough, you will be able to finish it with one smaller bite, otherwise it takes two.
Would have been politically interesting if this announcement had occurred before the election. It seems to have as much buzz as banning beer.
November 17th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Wonder where Moochelle hides her stash of ding dongs?
November 17th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Liposuction sucked em all away.
November 18th, 2012 at 6:27 am
I never liked Ding Dongs. Suzy Qs were my fave, followed by their cupcakes. Too bad this also means the end of Zingers and Drake’s snack cakes, too!
November 18th, 2012 at 8:26 am
Ryan, you follow suit as a writer here of not making a great deal of sense.
You say you have no issues with the workers themselves but you do with them being represented because, well, Unions are just bad and that’s all. Period. You remind me of the Romney campaign having no substance or logic. Tax cuts for the wealthiest sprinkled with a dash of fairy dust will equate to mass jobs, higher wages, and Twinkies for everyone. And that has to work because, well, Obama’s so bad. That’s all and nothing else. It’s as if simply because you dislike something or someone, that somehow gives credence to what you’re selling, aside from the fact that your logic comes up short.
You mention the evils of a Union CEO making $500K because I suppose, you just don’t like unions. Yet you seem to be fine with Hostess top officials tripling their salaries while their business is in trouble as if that’s just a pretty cool thing to do. Hostess CEO Brian Driscoll not only enjoys his recent 300% pay hike but also can walk away with an almost $2 million a yr compensation, yet that evil union should somehow be comfortable with production workers taking huge pension and pay cuts at a time when they’re already working near a poverty level. Your rationale simply doesn’t add up.
Most conservatives or right leaning folks I’ve talked to agree that unions were a needed asset “in their day” but often follow up with something asinine like “they’ve outlived their usefulness” or such. They did as we know make the sweat shops safer, gave workers overtime pay and benefits, and pretty much created the middle class. Today’s environment not only proves that “outlived” nonsense wrong, but brings the argument for more union representation front and center.
November 18th, 2012 at 10:32 am
“Ronald J. Ward Says:
November 18th, 2012 at 8:26 am
Ryan, you follow suit as a writer here of not making a great deal of sense.”
Way to go Ronald.
You have absolutely no fcking business at all calling anyone a troll.
As I’ve said many times, and this most recent post of yours proves it.
‘Your posts consistently open with personal attacks.’
====================
I’ve read numerous articles on this issue, you could not be more full of sht if you were Obama.
You never provide any sources, any confirmation that we need take your word for anything.
Twinkies are not going anywhere, and the private sector more than likely has saved the blue collar positions within Hostess, minus the unions that ask for conditions beyond what is cost effective.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2012/11/16/next-twinkie-maker-will-a-mexican-billionaire-family-buy-hostess-orphaned-brands/
“yet that evil union should somehow be comfortable with production workers taking huge pension and pay cuts at a time when they’re already working near a poverty level.”
No union employee is accepting pay at poverty levels.
How far up your ass did you have to reach for
that line if bullsht ?
The workers got what they deserved-unemployment.
These union employees like to think that they are the life support of the company, which is further compounded by the thinking that the company “can’t do it without them.”.
That leads these morons to thinking they deserve higher wages and benefits than an open market would ever pay. The company owes you this – a fair wage for your skill set, not a wage that you say is appropriate – one that compels people of adequate skills/work ethic to want to work at the company. That’s it.
If there are enough people in the market that will do your job for half the money, then that’s the market rate for your job. You can’t hold a company hostage for higher wages just because you think you’re entitled, or the result will be exactly what you’re looking at.
Only when you’re paid a wage thats defined by your level of production and not your existence or seniority will we see a fair labor market.
Wise up
November 18th, 2012 at 10:35 am
“Ronald J. Ward Says:
November 18th, 2012 at 8:26 am
Ryan, you follow suit as a writer here of not making a great deal of sense.”
Way to go Ronald.
You have absolutely no business at all calling anyone a troll.
As I’ve said many times, and this most recent post of yours proves it.
‘Your posts consistently open with personal attacks.’
====================
I’ve read numerous articles on this issue, you could not be more full of crap if you were Obama.
You never provide any sources or any confirmation that we need take your word for anything.
Twinkies are not going anywhere, and the private sector more than likely has saved the blue collar positions within Hostess, minus the unions that ask for conditions beyond what is cost effective.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2012/11/16/next-twinkie-maker-will-a-mexican-billionaire-family-buy-hostess-orphaned-brands/
“yet that evil union should somehow be comfortable with production workers taking huge pension and pay cuts at a time when they’re already working near a poverty level.”
No union employee is accepting pay at poverty levels.
How far up your rump did you have to reach for
that line if crap ?
The workers got what they deserved-unemployment.
These union employees like to think that they are the life support of the company, which is further compounded by the thinking that the company “can’t do it without them.”.
That leads these morons to thinking they deserve higher wages and benefits than an open market would ever pay. The company owes you this – a fair wage for your skill set, not a wage that you say is appropriate – one that compels people of adequate skills/work ethic to want to work at the company. That’s it.
If there are enough people in the market that will do your job for half the money, then that’s the market rate for your job. You can’t hold a company hostage for higher wages just because you think you’re entitled, or the result will be exactly what you’re looking at.
Only when you’re paid a wage thats defined by your level of production and not your existence or seniority will we see a fair labor market.
Wise up
November 18th, 2012 at 10:40 am
I cleaned it up, why the moderation ?
BTW, welcome Ryan, love your work.
If my comments are a bit rough and dont agree with your standards I’ll be more than glad to meet them as each author gets to monitor comments to their own posts.
After getting to know Ronald you might understand my hostility.
November 18th, 2012 at 11:20 am
Micky,
What was your original post? I don’t remember moderating it.
November 18th, 2012 at 11:36 am
It could very well be a spam filter not allowing links before approved.
I’ve got a potty mouth so I’m used to being moderated here and there.
#10 has some expletives which I edited in #11 and they’re both still stuck in moderation.
Its no biggy, Ronald Ward is not all that important, but I’d rather not start out on a bad note with any new member of the crew.
I’m in the habit of placing emphasis on terms by adding a little profanity, write like I think, call it what you will.
This doesnt work for everyone and I understand.
November 19th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Not sure why this ever became political. Management blames the unions, unions blame management, yada yada yada. No news here. In truth, who actually feeds their kids crap like Wonderbread and Twinkies anymore? Our national tastes have evolved and their business did not. Free enterprise in action.
November 19th, 2012 at 9:59 am
TA , This has nothing to do with what parents feed their kids.
Lemme guess, you gave out granola bars for Halloween ?
Theres plenty of adults who grew up eating what is no doubt crap.
And they will miss it, but not for long because the free enterprise as you say has a number of companies lining up to continue the legacy
November 19th, 2012 at 10:57 am
Bypassing Micky’s gibberish (as I always do), it’s come to light that Mr. Kane’s “blaming this squarely on the unions because it was the unions who caused the bankruptcies and the closing to occur” is completely without merit. The reality is that Hostess has changed hands several times in recent years and much like the present CEO and officers slicing off their pounds of flesh, Hostess has fallen victim to vulture capitalist who’ve pretty much picked the bones clean.
And to think America almost rewarded a vulture capitalist guru with a seat at the Oval Office.
November 19th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@ TA
Bob Beckle may disagree with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI7APkGaSZQ