No More Twinkies...

[tyrius.]

I heard the Hostess brand will be bought almost immediately, therefore production will have very little disruption (unless of course all their employees decide to work elsewhere).

LOL'ing at all the Hostess Hoarders over the weekend.

When the sale is finalized the new owners are highly unlikely to bring in the old workers or even to use the old factories. The most likely thing to happen is that production is moved overseas and instead of employing their own route drivers, they'll sell to a distributor and cut out that part of the process. Hostess isn't big enough to realize the benefits of employing their own route owners.

[slonezp]

Theres still hope

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/judge-asks-hostess-mediate-union-203749038.html

[SirSnookalot]

Yes they are going into mediation, probably a short term fix for the company and the employees. I think the handwriting is on the wall, my bet is Hostess will get sold within the next year or 2.

[Root beer]

When the sale is finalized the new owners are highly unlikely to bring in the old workers or even to use the old factories. The most likely thing to happen is that production is moved overseas and instead of employing their own route drivers, they'll sell to a distributor and cut out that part of the process. Hostess isn't big enough to realize the benefits of employing their own route owners.

Betcha Flowers Food would be interested in buying some facilities from Hostess specifically the ones that produced bread. Flowers and Merita each have a bakery within 40 miles of each other and Flowers have plan to shut down this bakery. I wouldn't be surprise if Flowers continue with shut down plan and buy the Merita facility due to its size and proximity from the interstate, which gives it better logistic to warehouses around region. I don't think Flowers can buy the brand without being blocked or hassled by the FTC...Maybe they can, I don't know enough about how FTC block and approve these kind of transactions.

[Fishing Rhino]

Theres still hope

http://finance.yahoo...-203749038.html

The hope is gone.

"A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Hostess Brands' plan to wind down the company after last-minute mediation fell through Tuesday night between the snack maker and one of its biggest unions."

http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2012/11/21/judge-approves-hostess-liquidation/

[Traveler2586]

These are very sad times, I feel as if I have lost a family member; I and my children grew up on Hostess products. As a budget saving measure my wife would shop with the kids at the local Wonder Bread store where the kids would always get a treat.

I hope that someone will bring back the Hostess iconic brands in some way. A Hostess’ lawyer said the company saw a "flood" of interest from parties interested in buying its brands. I hope they come back soon.

[Bankbeater]

You never heard "give me a twinkie", "cupcake", or "ding dong". There was always a "Hostess" in front of it. My guess is that when they start slicing up the company there is going to be a fight over who purchases the Hostess name.

[SirSnookalot]

There are many factors that contribute to any company's success or failure, Hostess is just the latest to experience their business collapsing, they won't be the last. Sad, well maybe for the employees, but they gambled and lost, even a win at the bargaining table probably would only been a postponement of the inevitable. Hostess brand gone, I don't think so, it's salable and their are suitors.

[unionman]

No more Wonderbread, ho-ho's, ding-dongs or twinkies. How will man kind survive???

Seriously though, how thickheaded to you have to be as an employee/union member? Compromise and keep your job or go in the unemployment line......I'm sure there is no lack of demand for the people who put the filling in the twinkies. How do you even put that on a resume??? 18000 people out of work

Do your research before you make "thickheaded" comments. They have made so many cuts in the recent past to the workers pay and benefits that they finally had enough. They have families too. All the while the execs gave themselves raises ranging from 100-300%. This company was systematically driven into the ground by the execs. in order to sell the brand for big bucks. The workers pension is owed tens of millions of dollars by the company but yet they were being "greedy"?! If it wasnt for unions in this country we wouldnt have: the weekend, safe working laws, child labor laws, overtime pay, etc etc. People think that union men/women are over payed workers, even though we go to school for 3-6 yrs to MASTER our craft before we make that much. Dont blame someone who makes more than you for trying to make him/herself a better life. Union wages increase ALL wages. This country is seriously lacking skilled craftsmen. Everthing is cheaply slapped together by the cheapest, most uneducated workers, just to increase profits. Pride in your work is nearly nonexistent. The fact is that we want ALL workers to be treated and payed fairly. Dont settle for less than your worth.

[Traveler2586]

BS

[deaknh03]

BSx2

[unionman]

BS

Not sure if your "bs" comment was aimed at me, but if it was, would you care to elaborate?

[slonezp]

The company was run poorly. This is not the first time they had financial issues. Everyone likes to blame unions for higher cost because we have become a disposable society. Why is it acceptable to spend $300. on a cell phone which won't last the 2 years the contract is for, but to spend $300 to have your heat fixed when it's 10 degrees outside is an ungoldy amount of money. America has become a WalMart state. The cost of everything has gone up in America, but if someone has to pay more than .99 for the Twinkie, they'll take a pass. Maybe they should have gone the way of Frito Lay. Raise prices, same package, less volume. They should have shrunk Twinkies to the size of a human thumb, or more cream than cake, or whatever. Maybe a 1/2 gal of ice cream which is now 1/3 of a gal for a similar price. Heres what happens now. The company gets bought out. The new owners may close some bakeries but my money says most will stay open. The same employees will be working at "New Hostess". Maybe unionized, probably not.

I don't know if the union had an influence on the quality of the cakes. It does in fact have an influence on the quality of workmanship in the trades. There are way too many hacks out there. The education and continuing education we receive is second to none. If I told you the things I've seen hacked in restaurants you'd never eat out again. I'm a proud Local 597 Pipefitter

Public unions are a different animal alltogether. I choose not to comment on a public forum

[SirSnookalot]

I do agree with Unionman, coming from a union state I have seen the standard of living for union employees compared to the non union. It isn't Utopia, there is a down side, that being companies that can't afford to unionize will not get the creme de la creme of the labor pool and some don't last in business. As consumers we all pay for those union workers, their cost is passed on to us. Hostess' problems are not unique to them only, in a capitalistic society the strong survive and the weak perish. The concern of hierarchy of most companies is profits first and if that can be done with fewer employees, that's is exactly what they are going to do. I don't think for a second if a company from outside of the U.S. buys Hostess that production stays here, considering cheaper labor costs elsewhere.

With regard to slonezp's comments, right on the money, except I would say that comparing a union skilled worker to a twinkie filler does not require the same level of expertise and continuing education.

[Root beer]

I got a quick question in regard to the unions. Totally off topic, but I"m dying to know... Was there ever a time where union workers ever had a contract where they would only produce x amount of units per week? If a company had an unexpected upswing in demand and the workers had to produce more units per week than their contracted stated they would walk off the job, instead of working overtime.. Someone said this to me and I don't trust it.. No way any parties would ever agree to such contract.(least in my mind) I talked to a cost accountant for another company who has experience dealing with unions he said he hasn't heard of any one having such contract.

[Fish Chris]

Twinkies went to crap a long time ago anyway, but nobody seems to have noticed.

The reason I know this, is that back in my old life, I used to eat tons of Twinkies, along with every other kind of sugary garbage and junk food you could imagine.

One time about 4 or 5 years ago, I got a big family pack of them, and they had shrunk way down, by like 30%. Now, that in itself, would almost be expected. But they probably didn't get any lighter. Instead, they were just overly moist, like they hadn't risen properly. I assumed I had just gotten a bad box. Got another box the next week.... Same lousy, shrunken, dense, overly moist pieces of garbage. No sponginess whatsoever.

I contacted Hostess, and of course they told me they hadn't changed anything, and sent me some free Twinkie coupons.

So, I waited a few months, and bought some more. They were lousy too.

I never ate another Twinkie.

And so now, 3 years after my complete life change / body swap, I wouldn't even consider eating a twinkie, nor anything like it, regardless of how they make them.... ever again, anyway.

Fish

[Traveler2586]

This off topic subject of unions borders along the lines of politics so the Mods will probably step in, but I don’t totally disagree with unions, or know the part they played in the demise of Hostess; unions are only as good as the members.

What I can say is I’ve worked on both sides of the union line (union & non-union), attended union meetings both on and off the job where we were taught how to conduct a work slowdown; I’ve seen, and been injured by, co-workers sabotaging job sites; been badgered by union stewards to toe the line; and found co-workers had hid and/or stolen my tools, and other co-works tools, so we couldn’t do our jobs. All in the name of union pressure to get their way. A union and its members can make, or break, a company in subtle ways not seen by outsiders.

So, I hope Hostess returns, I’m on my last loaf of Wonder Bread.

[Bassn Blvd]

What if Lance/Keebler went under? No more cheese crackers while fishing

[unionman]

I got a quick question in regard to the unions. Totally off topic, but I"m dying to know... Was there ever a time where union workers ever had a contract where they would only produce x amount of units per week? If a company had an unexpected upswing in demand and the workers had to produce more units per week than their contracted stated they would walk off the job, instead of working overtime.. Someone said this to me and I don't trust it.. No way any parties would ever agree to such contract.(least in my mind) I talked to a cost accountant for another company who has experience dealing with unions he said he hasn't heard of any one having such contract

Most unions (maybe all, not 100% sure on large nationwide unions) dont have peicework (quotas) contracts anymore. Including mine. We are not required to produce any certain amount. There is no minimum or maximum. So any self respecting union man/woman will work just as hard no matter what the demand or lack thereof is. I work I disagree off if the job is a ahead or behind. If Im putting my name on something its going to be done right and fast and safe.

[unionman]

This off topic subject of unions borders along the lines of politics so the Mods will probably step in, but I don’t totally disagree with unions, or know the part they played in the demise of Hostess; unions are only as good as the members.

What I can say is I’ve worked on both sides of the union line (union & non-union), attended union meetings both on and off the job where we were taught how to conduct a work slowdown; I’ve seen, and been injured by, co-workers sabotaging job sites; been badgered by union stewards to toe the line; and found co-workers had hid and/or stolen my tools, and other co-works tools, so we couldn’t do our jobs. All in the name of union pressure to get their way. A union and its members can make, or break, a company in subtle ways not seen by outsiders.

So, I hope Hostess returns, I’m on my last loaf of Wonder Bread.

Wow. Thats so rediculous. What union was that? I doubt they are still organized. Ive NEVER heard anything like this before in my area. Yea maybe 50 yrs ago in chicago/new york but not anymore. Not all unions are created equal. Im a Journeyman Ironworker. I do bridgework, structural, ornamental and reinforcing iron work. Our union, Local #111, out of Rock Island, Illinois has only 200 members. The bulk of which (after a large number of old timers retired) are 18-35 yrs old. We are known for taking GREAT pride in our reputation and craftsmanship. We are well trained and get **** done. Period.

What you are talking about we call "wobble" a job. Its against the law and our local can be sued for it. Our union steward is there to uphold the contract the Contractors agreed to. Not to "slow down work". This concept is rediculous. How would your union compete with non-union if you bargained in this way? As far as being "taught" how to do a "work-slow", thats some bs and if you ever participated in that then your just as bad as the people advocating it. We've all had tools stolen. Sometime its by fellow unionmen. Usually its non union guys(in my experience). And if I EVER saw someone sabotage a jobsite and me or one of my brothers were injured, first off they would be brought up on charges, lose their union card and get some broken ribs and lose about 10 teeth. This is the most absurd part of your story. Me and my fellow ironworkers are like brothers. The last thing I want to see is one of them get hurt. Our job is dangerous enough (top ten deadliest) without some a-hole making it worse.

[retiredbosn]

I am not going to argue with or belittle anyone. But there is a huge difference between actual trade unions and those in a factory setting. I know of a union that is affiliated with a carpenter's union and the factory makes electronics, in the factory world there is no rhyme or reason behind what unions do or don't do.

[Traveler2586]

I am not going to argue with or belittle anyone. But there is a huge difference between actual trade unions and those in a factory setting. I know of a union that is affiliated with a carpenter's union and the factory makes electronics, in the factory world there is no rhyme or reason behind what unions do or don't do.

It all boils down to the membership, there are some very good hardworking unions out there, it's like people, some good some bad..... I believe what I ran into on more that one occasion was some hard core short sighted members.

Now... back to subject

[slonezp]

What if Lance/Keebler went under? No more cheese crackers while fishing

Would you blame them? Slave labor stuck working inside treetrunks...

[Fishing Rhino]

The company was run poorly. This is not the first time they had financial issues. Everyone likes to blame unions for higher cost because we have become a disposable society. Why is it acceptable to spend $300. on a cell phone which won't last the 2 years the contract is for, but to spend $300 to have your heat fixed when it's 10 degrees outside is an ungoldy amount of money. America has become a WalMart state. The cost of everything has gone up in America, but if someone has to pay more than .99 for the Twinkie, they'll take a pass. Maybe they should have gone the way of Frito Lay. Raise prices, same package, less volume. They should have shrunk Twinkies to the size of a human thumb, or more cream than cake, or whatever. Maybe a 1/2 gal of ice cream which is now 1/3 of a gal for a similar price. Heres what happens now. The company gets bought out. The new owners may close some bakeries but my money says most will stay open. The same employees will be working at "New Hostess". Maybe unionized, probably not.

I don't know if the union had an influence on the quality of the cakes. It does in fact have an influence on the quality of workmanship in the trades. There are way too many hacks out there. The education and continuing education we receive is second to none. If I told you the things I've seen hacked in restaurants you'd never eat out again. I'm a proud Local 597 Pipefitter

Public unions are a different animal alltogether. I choose not to comment on a public forum

My pet peeve in the great shrinking caper is dial soap. It used to be rectangular with convex surfaces. Now, it's still rectangular but it has a trough running lengthwise on one side, and crosswise on the other. I doubt it's more than a quarter inch thick in the middle.

But I've minimized my losses. Used to be, when the bar got down to sliver size I'd toss it and get a new bar. Now, that sliver fits nicely into the lengthwise trough, and "glues itself to the new bar.. I figure nine or ten of those slivers is the equivalent of today's bar size. I gain a bar for every nine or ten that I use.

Soap won't make me or break me. It's my way of getting back at those dirty soap companies.

[Stasher1]

It all boils down to the membership, there are some very good hardworking unions out there, it's like people, some good some bad..... I believe what I ran into on more that one occasion was some hard core short sighted members.

Now... back to subject

Not just membership, but contract and type of union. Labor unions operate quite differently than trade unions, and the two should not be compared 1:1.

In labor unions, members and elected representatives are not allowed to "police" the workforce and make sure everyone is pulling their weight. That is seen as a management role, and all in-unit bargaining personnel are barred from holding management positions. Trade union contracts and by-laws generally lack these restrictions, and it is typically seen as part of the elected representatives' duties to make sure everyone is pulling their weight.