Life without Twinkies?

[Lady's Human]

After poking around for details on this whole mess, I found some info that hasn't been widely reported in the media.

The reasons for the strike and refusal to go back to the table stems from Hostess (which is under control of a corp. raider venture capitalist) negotiating severe wage cuts a few years ago (48K to 35K for a senior baker) and benefit cuts. THey agreed to it at the time because they were promised no more cuts would be made.

Now, after the corp scavengers have been doing nothing for new product development or marketing for a few years (read....making no attempt to modernize or actually spend money on the corp to make it viable......because in reality all they want to do is sell the IP rights and real estate and take the money and run) they went back to the table to demand more cuts ($35K to $25K for the baker in question) and more cuts in benefits.

I think I'd strike as well, because while $35K might be livable (barely) for someone who's made 40-50K for years, $25K is a slap in the face and a severe cut in wages.

[smokey the elder]

And meanwhile the CEO "voted" himself a giant raise (at least that's what I heard.)

[Bonny]

There is always the Little Debbie Nutty Bars that can appease the chocolate lovers cravings. Although the rest of Little Debbie's sweets are kind of ugh.

[Lady's Human]

Little Debbies just don't cut it, too much of their stuff is the consistency of school paste. Their brownies are TERRIBLE!

[Bonny]

Little Debbies just don't cut it, too much of their stuff is the consistency of school paste. Their brownies are TERRIBLE!

Have you tried the Little Debbies Nutty Bars? They are right up there with Hostess Twinkies & Cupcakes only with the peanut butter in the center instead of the creamy marsh mellow center. Either way they give a person a boost of energy to complete your day & taste good too.

[RICHARD]

Little Debbies, for those with taste
Come off as thick as school paste.
She doesn't come off with the mostest
Like the our pal, the old Hostess.
But when it comes to really sweet
Little Debbie can't be beat..
Well you can, if you choose!
Would that be 'snack abuse'?
But if Hostess goes, How I will long
to keep a hold of my Ding-dong?

[moosmom]

DAMN RICHARD!!! You should've gone to work for Hallmark!!

[Cataholic]

Golly- what some of you eat! If I am going to go crazy- it has to be decent quality crap that I am eating. LOL. I haven't had any of those products since my high school years. They just aren't that tasty.

As to the closing of the plants- it is sad. But, businesses have the right to make money. Even lots of money. There are so many people out there that haven't had a raise in years (I don't think I had had a raise in 7 years...), and were required to pay more for their 'entitlements' each year, all the while coverages were less. Unions were great- a long time ago. They have outlived their usefulness, IMO.

[Lady's Human]

Golly- what some of you eat! If I am going to go crazy- it has to be decent quality crap that I am eating. LOL. I haven't had any of those products since my high school years. They just aren't that tasty.

As to the closing of the plants- it is sad. But, businesses have the right to make money. Even lots of money. There are so many people out there that haven't had a raise in years (I don't think I had had a raise in 7 years...), and were required to pay more for their 'entitlements' each year, all the while coverages were less. Unions were great- a long time ago. They have outlived their usefulness, IMO.

I think it might be time for you to take a business ethics course......

Yes, they have a right to make money. However, the employees also have rights, and along with rights go responsibilities.

The Westboro Baptists are operating within their rights......doesn't change the fact that their actions are completely reprehensible.

In addition, I'd hardly call a negotiated benefits package an entitlement. Nice attempt to compare a hard earned benefit with welfare. I'd get into why Unions are still needed in the workplace in detail, but I'll simply leave it at this:

I don't write or deal with petty grievances. Nor do most of the stewards I deal with. Yet we somehow still manage to deal with very real issues on a routine basis. Safety, workplace climate issues, and others, as well as run of the mill contractual issues.

They are very much needed, and I think American businesses are going to be in for a rude awakening over the next few years, starting with Wal Mart Thursday night.

Even Henry Ford realized that he had to compensate his workers well and treat them fairly.

[Edwina's Secretary]

As to the closing of the plants- it is sad. But, businesses have the right to make money. Even lots of money. There are so many people out there that haven't had a raise in years (I don't think I had had a raise in 7 years...), and were required to pay more for their 'entitlements' each year, all the while coverages were less. Unions were great- a long time ago. They have outlived their usefulness, IMO.

In addition to the $1 mil+++ the CEO is getting...

Hostess Brands is looking to give their managers a bonus of up to 75 percent of their annual pay so they will stay on and help close down the company, but the U.S. Trustee, an agent of the U.S. Department of Justice, said the plan for bonuses was improper.

Cat - as for unions outliving their usefulness...I hear that thrown around all the time. I have spent a good part of my career helping companies avoid unions. Doing things the right way so people don't want or need a union. But I will tell you - some companies deserve unions. Companies get unions because they do not treat their employees equitably. They play favorites. It is not money that drives people to unions (sure the union promises them more money) it is - I avoid the word "fair" but it is about management and how people are treated. I have been in a number of campaings to keep unions out and every time it is the same thing.

Just recently I had situations with two clients. Both involved employees at different levels. In both situations one employee was a friend of the boss. The other employee in both situations was a low level "worker bee." Same behavior - different consequences. The "boss friends" got a pass on behavior that got the worker bees fired. I had to push very hard on both clients for there to be ANY consequences for the boss friends.

There is still a need for a level playing field. Of course companies should make lots and lots of profits. That is not the issue. It is possible to do both - make lots of money AND treat your employees right.

[Bonny]

Little Debbies, for those with taste
Come off as thick as school paste.
She doesn't come off with the mostest
Like the our pal, the old Hostess.
But when it comes to really sweet
Little Debbie can't be beat..
Well you can, if you choose!
Would that be 'snack abuse'?
But if Hostess goes, How I will long
to keep a hold of my Ding-dong?

ROFL! Richard your poetry sure beats the crap out of what we had to read & figure out in school.

It is to the point & makes sense.

You should be working for Hostess in their advertising department.

[Catty1]

Rumour has it that a Mexican company is looking at buying Hostess, or parts of it.

Twinkie Tamale?