Hostess is Toast

[Disneycrazymom]

Originally Posted by msjprincess

I'm not crazy about Hostess products. But I do always buy a box of cupcakes for my daughter to keep in her class. She has a nut allergy so she can't eat birthday treats that the other kids bring in. I guess she's going to be eating a lot of Rice Krispie Treats.

I do the same thing for my DD. Even if they sell the brand there is a possibility the new factory won't be peanut free.

[ICF]

Originally Posted by jen0610

While you don't like to see people lose their jobs, sometimes they have no one but themselves to blame for that. As a company, Hostess was in trouble. The union workers knew that, but instead of working with Hostess to try and work out a deal that would help keep Hostess open and keep people in jobs, they didn't so now there are no jobs, instead of a number of jobs at a lesser wage.

I just don't get why people have a hard time understanding, a little of something is a whole lot better than nothing.

Striking when your company is already in financial trouble, really wasn't going to have a good ending for them. It was a very short-sighted move on their part.

[Princess Dolly]

Originally Posted by jen0610

While you don't like to see people lose their jobs, sometimes they have no one but themselves to blame for that. As a company, Hostess was in trouble. The union workers knew that, but instead of working with Hostess to try and work out a deal that would help keep Hostess open and keep people in jobs, they didn't so now there are no jobs, instead of a number of jobs at a lesser wage.

I just don't get why people have a hard time understanding, a little of something is a whole lot better than nothing.

So does Capitalism need some Socialism to survive? Doesn't everyone have the right to try and fight for what is best for themselves?

[Gumbo4x4]

Originally Posted by Princess Dolly

So does Capitalism need some Socialism to survive? Doesn't everyone have the right to try and fight for what is best for themselves?

Capitalism is everyone fighting for what's best for themselves. Socialism is fighting for a common good. At least, that's how it's SUPPOSED to work.

[scrapquitler]

Originally Posted by jen0610

While you don't like to see people lose their jobs, sometimes they have no one but themselves to blame for that. As a company, Hostess was in trouble. The union workers knew that, but instead of working with Hostess to try and work out a deal that would help keep Hostess open and keep people in jobs, they didn't so now there are no jobs, instead of a number of jobs at a lesser wage.

I just don't get why people have a hard time understanding, a little of something is a whole lot better than nothing.

Exactly. I think the union is largely to blame in this. I wonder how many of the workers would have rather settled than have it come to this? No matter what the differences between the company's proposals and the unions demands, wouldn't a JOB have been better than this?

The company called their bluff. I wonder if we'll start hearing this more now?

(For the record, I belong to a union, and we have been working without a contract since April 1, 2011)

[Princess Dolly]

Originally Posted by Gumbo4x4

Capitalism is everyone fighting for what's best for themselves. Socialism is fighting for a common good. At least, that's how it's SUPPOSED to work.

I agree. My point is that some posters wanted workers to take concessions so the company survives, which is socialism. The company decided to shutdown instead, which points toward Capitalism (best for the company). I just want people to realize what they are advocating.

[pumba]

I thought I heard on the news that this company took the money from the employees 401K ( I think that is what they said) (NOPE IT WAS PENSIONS) that they put in weekly and it is NO where....what did they do with it...they didnt put in anything and they didnt show where the money is...
To me that is stealing...
and we belonged to a union for the last 35 and a half years...they do good things and protect the workers...so I wont say anything about unions..vs non-unions...

If this is not right..please let me know ...I believe this is what I heard...

[Princess Dolly]

Originally Posted by pumba

I thought I heard on the news that this company took the money from the employees 401K ( I think that is what they said) that they put in weekly and it is NO where....what did they do with it...they didnt put in anything and they didnt show where the money is...
To me that is stealing...
and we belonged to a union for the last 35 and a half years...they do good things and protect the workers...so I wont say anything about unions..vs non-unions...

If this is not right..please let me know ...I believe this is what I heard...

If that's true that is horrid!

[cornflake]

Originally Posted by Princess Dolly

I agree. My point is that some posters wanted workers to take concessions so the company survives, which is socialism. The company decided to shutdown instead, which points toward Capitalism (best for the company). I just want people to realize what they are advocating.

Except that's not what those things are or mean, at all.

This is sad and the blame is squarely on the single union, imo. The Teamsters made a deal because they looked into the company's books and saw this wasn't a ploy. The smaller union acted like it was. Good plan.

Not that I buy it but Wonder Bread is iconic and so are Twinkies and so many of their other products.

Guess Tennessee was right - "There's a box of Twinkies in that grocery store. Not just any box of Twinkies, the last box of Twinkies that anyone will enjoy in the whole universe. Believe it or not, Twinkies have an expiration date. Some day very soon, Life's little Twinkie gauge is gonna go empty."

[Princess Dolly]

Originally Posted by cornflake

Except that's not what those things are or mean, at all.

This is sad and the blame is squarely on the single union, imo. The Teamsters made a deal because they looked into the company's books and saw this wasn't a ploy. The smaller union acted like it was. Good plan.

Not that I buy it but Wonder Bread is iconic and so are Twinkies and so many of their other products.

Guess Tennessee was right - "There's a box of Twinkies in that grocery store. Not just any box of Twinkies, the last box of Twinkies that anyone will enjoy in the whole universe. Believe it or not, Twinkies have an expiration date. Some day very soon, Life's little Twinkie gauge is gonna go empty."

I know it's not exactly. I just find it ironic when some people say others should take less for the greater good. Anyway, don't want to go down a forbidden road.

Personally, the less crap food in circulation the better.

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally Posted by pumba

I thought I heard on the news that this company took the money from the employees 401K ( I think that is what they said) that they put in weekly and it is NO where....what did they do with it...they didnt put in anything and they didnt show where the money is...
To me that is stealing...
and we belonged to a union for the last 35 and a half years...they do good things and protect the workers...so I wont say anything about unions..vs non-unions...

If this is not right..please let me know ...I believe this is what I heard...

I have no idea but if I was a long term employee paying into the pension fund I would most certainly be scared of what is going to happen.

[Christopher Robin]

Originally Posted by Princess Dolly

I agree. My point is that some posters wanted workers to take concessions so the company survives, which is socialism. The company decided to shutdown instead, which points toward Capitalism (best for the company). I just want people to realize what they are advocating.

To the bolded, absolutely incorrect.

[Sorsha]

I feel very very bad for the workers who will be out of work, especially right before Christmas. Not good timing.

However, I will not miss the company at all. IMHO most of their products are disgusting; and super-over-processed white breads and snacks that are full of HFCS and other junk have contributed way too much to our nation's problems with obesity and diabetes.

Also, because of board rules, I will simply state that I have no sympathy with huge companies that refuse to pay their workers a living wage or give them full-time hours or benefits. If a company cannot figure out a business model that allows them to take care of their own workers and still stay financially solvent, then they don't deserve to be in business. And that's all the further I will discuss it.

[Princess Dolly]

Originally Posted by Christopher Robin

To the bolded, absolutely incorrect.

I admitted to taking liberty. Again the underlying sentiment is for workers to take less for the greater good, which I don't disagree with. I just find it ironic that there are times this is considered good and expected and then there are times when this is considered very bad and everything is going to heck. And then that "S" word gets slung around when it is inappropriate.

[Gumbo4x4]

Originally Posted by pumba

I thought I heard on the news that this company took the money from the employees 401K ( I think that is what they said) that they put in weekly and it is NO where....what did they do with it...they didnt put in anything and they didnt show where the money is...
To me that is stealing...
and we belonged to a union for the last 35 and a half years...they do good things and protect the workers...so I wont say anything about unions..vs non-unions...

If this is not right..please let me know ...I believe this is what I heard...

I saw something about that as well - although, I thought it was pension money, not 401k. Regardless, if it happened, it's a real issue - but a separate issue.

Unions have their pluses & minuses. Sometimes protecting the workers (being treated unfairly) is a good thing. Other times (worker is worthless), it's a bad thing. Ensuring that people who deserve a job keep it, good thing. Ensuring that their demands will bankrupt the employer, bad thing.