NBCDFW: Twinkies Maker Hostess Going Out of Business, CEO Blames Union Strike

[alexey]

...
And you kinda struck a nerve with the over inflated salary thing,
Who decides when a salary is over inflated!
The wealth gap in this country is as big if not bigger than its ever been and you think the blue collar worker is the one making too much?

That's pretty much my long-term concern with the future in light of globalization and focus on profits over human well-being.

[DM72]

Did Hostess ever make anything that wasn't toxic garbage?
All their stuff was revolting and unhealthy.

I have never seen as many men food snobs in my life. Big deal, it was snack food. Not everyone wants to eat carrots and celery all their lives.

But anyway, I think people are freaking out for nothing. Some major food company like Kraft or Nabisko will buy them.

[Bliz]

I'm actually a union crane operator so you kinda hit the nail on the head more than you think.

Yes they do pay more than federal minimum wage but only because they have to due to union competition,

First off there's Davis bacon which says that all federally funded projects must pay prevailing wage which is set by the unions and then there's the threat that they will lose there help to the unions if there salaries are not competetive.

Everything you mentioned is even more reason to pay less because available talent is mobile, easily trainable and abundant.

And safety is not completely resolved without the unions, we have more and better training and the governments are still constantly coming to us for suggestions on how to improve safety.

And you kinda struck a nerve with the over inflated salary thing,
Who decides when a salary is over inflated!
The wealth gap in this country is as big if not bigger than its ever been and you think the blue collar worker is the one making too much?

"over-inflated" was a bad choice of phrase. Nothing personal. I just meant higher than where the normal job market would peg salary.

My experience in the construction industry is that quality of workers is extremely important. There will always be a market for good and talented people. I understand and appreciate your point. I just don't think salaries at non-union shops would change that much. Perhaps you're right, for day laborers. BUt is the pool of crane operators who are trained and experienced really that large that they could pay minimum wage and still find quality people who could (and would) do the job safely?

[Predicto]

No Ho Hos

Orange Cupcakes




Did the CEO and corporate team offer to take a paycut or were they expecting it to all come from the employees?[COLOR="Gold"]

As I understand it, the unions gave back $110 million per year to get the company out of the first bankruptcy proceeding. The hedge fund guys then gave themselves multi million dollar bonuses. Meanwhile, they were selling off assets, especially the real estate.

There will be a lot of fingerpointing in every direction from this. The truth will be a lot more complicated than the talking points, that's for sure.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I have never seen as many men food snobs in my life. Big deal, it was snack food. Not everyone wants to eat carrots and celery all their lives.

But anyway, I think people are freaking out for nothing. Some major food company like Kraft or Nabisko will buy them.

Exactly. Why do we have to blame the unions at all? In free market capitalism, some companies lose.

[twa]

Exactly. Why do we have to blame the unions at all? In free market capitalism, some companies lose.

There is no need for blame....or for their job obviously

http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/14/news...day/index.html

A offer was made ...the Bakers Union refused,now everybody can move on

[redskinss]

"over-inflated" was a bad choice of phrase. Nothing personal. I just meant higher than where the normal job market would peg salary.

My experience in the construction industry is that quality of workers is extremely important. There will always be a market for good and talented people. I understand and appreciate your point. I just don't think salaries at non-union shops would change that much. Perhaps you're right, for day laborers. BUt is the pool of crane operators who aore trained and experienced really that large that they could pay minimum wage and still find quality people who could (and would) do the job safely?

I agree with this last post very much.

My wife was a union nurse for a long time and I kept telling her she's wasting her money, her degree experience and the law of supply and demand were all she needed and now that she's non union she actually makes much more.

And yes the laborers do need the unions more that's why whenever there's a rally there's like 6 carpenter's 4 operators, a couple electricians and around 200 laborers, because even they know there not as protected by there skills as we are.

And no I don't for one second think I would make minimum wage it was an extreme analogy but I know I would make less and probably a considerable amount.

I am just one of those people who thinks that capatilism is a great idea and a good idea coupled with hard work should be rewarded with great riches but the hard working, maybe not overly intelligent person should also be allowed to fight for what he believes is a fair pay in this world.

[brandymac27]

I never really like Twinkies anyway. I'm more pissed that I won't get my fix of Ding Dongs. They were way better IMO.

[DieselPwr44]

I have never seen as many men food snobs in my life. .

Tell me about it.

You'd think that this was a caviar and pate' crowd.......

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

As I understand it, the unions gave back $110 million per year to get the company out of the first bankruptcy proceeding. The hedge fund guys then gave themselves multi million dollar bonuses. Meanwhile, they were selling off assets, especially the real estate.

There will be a lot of fingerpointing in every direction from this. The truth will be a lot more complicated than the talking points, that's for sure.

indeed

I always feel Americans like to blame the employees over the executives. Its always the first reaction.

I believe the union gave back money two times in this situation, and the hedge fund guys were asking for much more.

That doesnt say unions are always in the right and execs are always on the wrong, and vice versa, but there is more here than to just finger point at the union.

[Predicto]

indeed

I always feel Americans like to blame the employees over the executives. Its always the first reaction.

I believe the union gave back money two times in this situation, and the hedge fund guys were asking for much more.

That doesnt say unions are always in the right and execs are always on the wrong, and vice versa, but there is more here than to just finger point at the union.

Good luck with that. The stories are already written in the business press, and will soon be set in stone in the world of public opinion. And you can guess which side they are taking. It was greedy unions, nothing more. Anything else is too complicated, and lacks a clear villain.



---------- Post added November-16th-2012 at 02:22 PM ----------



You know, like this.

There is no need for blame....or for their job obviously

http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/14/news...day/index.html

A offer was made ...the Bakers Union refused,now everybody can move on

[Riggo-toni]

I have never seen as many men food snobs in my life. Big deal, it was snack food. Not everyone wants to eat carrots and celery

So eat nuts, chips,apples, crackers, whatever.

Twinkies, HoHos,Wonderbread,Tastycakes.... that's right up there with Spam or maybe even past it on the white trash scale. Tastes likw dawgs*** and is terrible for u. I just don't get the appeal. Then again, I've never gone to a family reunion to pick up chicks either.

[twa]

Funny, I was under the impression workers worked for a company....not set profit margins or exec compensation

[DieselPwr44]

Funny, I was under the impression workers worked for a company....not set profit margins or exec compensation

All business is evil.

Get with the narrative mouth breather!

[Tulane Skins Fan]

All business is evil.

Get with the narrative mouth breather!

Not as evil as all its evil workers. Damn them actually negotiating for things they want.

Its a shame we can't just kill all the workers.