Twinkies bakers say they'd rather lose jobs than take pay cuts

reuters ^ | 11/22/2012 | By Carey Gillam and Martinne Geller

[tobyhill]

After several years of costly concessions, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union (BCTGM) authorized a walk-out earlier this month after Hostess received bankruptcy court approval to implement a wage cut that was not included in its contract.

With operations stalled, the company that makes Twinkies and other famous U.S. brands said last week that liquidating its business was the best way to preserve its dwindling cash. It won court approval on Wednesday to start winding down in a process expected to claim 15,000 jobs immediately and over 3,000 more after about four months.

Interviews with more than a dozen workers showed there was little sign of regret from employees who voted for the strike. They said they would rather lose their jobs than put up with lower wages and poorer benefits.

"They're just taking from us," said Kenneth Johnson, 46, of Missouri. He said he earned roughly $35,000 with overtime last year, down from about $45,000 five years ago.

"I really can't afford to not be working, but this is not worth it. I'd rather go work somewhere else or draw unemployment," said Johnson, a worker at Hostess for 23 years.

[maddog55]

I don’t think I could be a proud member of something called: Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union (BCTGM).

That would be right up there with the Left Brown Shoe No Laces Leather Union {LBSNLU).

[windsorknot]

There are plenty of job seekers who would be willing to work at the reduced wage, but these mindless union SOB’s weren’t about to give someone else that opportunity. I swear; if I came across one of these $&@’s lying in the street, starving to death, I would walk over him and not look back.

[Salamander]

Aw.

Too damn bad.

[Salamander]

Well, there’s always welfare.

Whatever maintains the 47%ers.

[Sacajaweau]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_5377

[Salamander]

“if you are unemployed because you refused to work”

Maybe that’s why welfare reform got re-reformed.

To take up the slack..ers.

[taterjay]

Obama has taught well. Taught people to blame Bush the lower they go. That is what he does. I thought last night, that is where we are headed. Our nation is going down and all anyone wants to do is blame someone above them. Classic symptoms for the alcoholic, the drugged, and now apparently the worker. So now, these workers will become like the mall or theater shooters with the attitude, “ If I can’t have what I want, then no one can.”

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Via con Dios...

[trebb]

"They're just taking from us," said Kenneth Johnson, 46, of Missouri. He said he earned roughly $35,000 with overtime last year, down from about $45,000 five years ago. "I really can't afford to not be working, but this is not worth it. I'd rather go work somewhere else or draw unemployment," said Johnson, a worker at Hostess for 23 years.

You are right - they will be lazing about and collecting their "share" of the dole for an extended period.

Interesting he gets to "say" that he's earning $10K less a year than 4 years ago and nobody verifies it or gives any of the dynamics involved. I guess the bright side is that he will step on his own "richard" again because he's too stupid to understand that the unions and the political party he supports are the reasons he's hurting.

[rabidralph]

I think with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, that 99 month deal will expire and go back to whatever it was previously. Happy Thanksgiving, Sal!

[blueunicorn6]

Now, the workers can buy the company and display those brilliant management skills that they think they have.

[sport]

It is according to if obama is through with them or not. History has shown that he has no problems of getting rid of those he uses after their usefulness to him is finished.

[Safetgiver]

“They’re just taking from us,” said Kenneth Johnson, 46,.....And me, as a faithful union thug, didn’t TAKE anything from the company (except a paycheck worth more than my labor, a pension, insurance, worker’s comp, unemployment and vacation, personal days, and sick days.)Why should I slave? Oh.. wait..How’m I gonna pay my beer, rent and Cadillac off?

[Safetgiver]

who at least makes Twinkies.....Once upon a time.

[nurees]

Try $1500/mo COBRA for family of 3. We could not purchase short term due to my husband taking a cholesterol pill and the fact I am scanned once a year to monitor a benign tumor that will never become cancerous. I don’t take one pill. I am thankful we saved for a rainy day.

[PowderMonkey]

"Six CEOs in 10 years have failed to turn the company around."

In my line of work that's known as a "clue." You have a product line that fewer and fewer people want. You exist in a body conscious society obsessed with health and fitness. You sell a product perceived by that society's leadership and its Wookie First Spouse, as the root cause of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, and no better than a carton of cigarettes. Your days were numbered the minute they went after the tobacco companies.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Are they retarded?

---

No, now they get unemployment, food stamps, and all other benefits. Result...good living and they don't have to work, I love seeing my tax dollars benefit the lazy takers.

[rbg81]

Part of me feels bad for the guy; another part wants to kick him in the a$$. He and his ilk chose to take down the company, putting a lot of other people out of work who likely didn’t feel the same way he did.

A more rational outcome would be to take the deal and keep working at Hostess until you find another, better job. The mere fact that he didn’t do that long ago speaks volumes about his prospects and/or judgement.

This guy doesn’t have a plan—all he has are hard feelings. That’s not exactly a recipe for success.

[vetvetdoug]

Since Obama was elected I have had to cut my salary to keep my business afloat. Each year the higher taxes and insurance increases eat away at my personal income. I make less now than I did in 1983 and have to work harder for it. Unions don't care if a business is sinking or doing well, they just take.

[Rapscallion]

Pay cuts? Wait until they see what happens to withholding for federal taxes after the new year starts. Take home pay across America will drop massively. So bad people may not be able to pay. The population will demand someone's skin for not halting the spending when they could have done so.

"Stand-by. Film at 11", as they say.