Scoreboard: Unions 1, Twinkies 0. With Bonus -18,500 Jobs.
Posted by MichaelGroff on November 19, 2012 | Filed under Podcasts
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A delicious piece of Americana has been lost at the hands of greedy unions. Hostess Brands Inc. announced that it will be shutting down operations due to the recent labor stoppage.
It was several months ago that representatives from Hostess Brands Inc met with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International Union in an effort to discuss the dire financial situation facing the popular snack maker. Hostess proposed a temporary reduction in pay for workers (between six and eight percent) along with minor reductions in benefits until such time as the financial hardships had past. The union rejected this idea and warned of a possible strike. Hostess advised that a strike would cripple the company/brand and put them out of business. As is typically the case, the union opted to cut off it’s nose to spite it’s face and go on strike anyway.
Hostess issued a deadline of 5pm last Thursday (November 15) for employees to get back to work or they would have to close down all operations. While some workers did return it was not enough to keep the doors open and now more than 18,500 employees are out of work and the Hostess brand and associated products are possibly gone forever. So the $64,000 question here is, was it worth it? The union rolled the dice, drawing a line in the sand and it cost everyone their jobs. With one incredibly selfish decision, a single union brought down a company that has been part of the fabric of U.S. snack foods for decades… congratulations, I’m sure this is a proud day for all union supporters everywhere!
It is of course the ultimate stroke of irony that a union, typically comprised of progressive/liberal types, acted in the precise manner that they rebel against regularly, that being greed and selfishness. Rather than focus on the “greater good”, taking a pay cut and restructuring salaries to keep everyone’s job and the company afloat, they opted for the selfish alternative and they lost everything as a result. Life teaches you lessons, I hope that unions everywhere took good notes.
Even though it isn’t directly related to unions, employees at several Walmart stores in Washington state plan a walk out on ‘Black Friday’. They contest that low pay, working on Thanksgiving evening and drama among managers was not what they signed up for when they took the lucrative career path of working at Walmart. Yep, some people never learn.
Leadership? Anyone?
The horse has been beaten with the broken record it’s been said so much. When will President Obama decide that the victims of superstorm Sandy deserve his attention? Maybe that moment will occur after this incredibly important trip to Asia. “What’s so special about it?” you may ask… President Obama gets an opportunity to go into the history books as the first U.S. President to travel to Burma. The President then journeys to Cambodia for some extremely high level meetings of national security… or just a meet-and-greet. Either way I’m sure he’ll be addressing those of you in the northeast soon enough.
Fortunately having solved all of New Jersey’s problems following Sandy, Governor Chris Christie made an appearance on Saturday Night Live! I’m sure New Jersey residents were thrilled to see their governor was able to joke and laugh while they continue to clean up the devastation left in Sandy’s wake.
Also on This Episode
– Hamas launches more than 100 rockets at Israel on Sunday and even the Iron Dome can’t protect you from the salvos launched at the Israelis by the media.
– Rihanna you’re now free to shut up, thanks.
– Iceland is making too much money from tourism. Someone should tell them that making lots of money and having a lot of tourists in your country is a GOOD thing.
November 8, 2015 at 8:17 pm
Hostess Twinkies is now owned by HB Holdings, LLC, which is owned by Apollo Global Management and C. Dean Metropoulos and Company.
Again another podcast that is both passionate (for pot) and funny as hell while you waddle your ass to Wal-Mart to shop on Thanksgiving night (maybe less fights? NOT…)
Yes, most places do mark up the value of things. However, I did work for a place that didn’t do that.
Dude, I’ve been shopping on Black Friday, which I will not do again ever, and two women were fighting over Power Rangers! I mean hair pulling smacking and punching! So why they fought, I took the ones I wanted and left. This was like back in Nov of 1992 I think. Crazy fecking people.
Iceland is Green and Greenland is icy.
Enjoyed it! ;)