I heard the CEO say that there was enough blame to go around to all. However, he did state that the refusal of the Bakers Union to even consider options was the final straw. I assume the union is happy, they got their way. They didn't let management push them around. I wonder how long it will take them to realize they don't have a job.

I wonder how many of the upper management refused to take a pay cut/pension cut/and benefits cut. They had already filed for bankruptcy protection,so you can not blame the demise solely on the unions firm stand. Not all unions are bad ,nor greedy. I've already seen people blaming it on Obama.People need to educate themselves on all facts before jumping on a bashing bandwagon.

The company and the Teamsters had an agreement - the Baker's Union refused to agree. The company said if they (Baker's Union) didn't compromise, they would have to close doors. I don't think the Baker's Union believe them. It is sad that such a small union was unwilling to compromise and now 18,500 people are going to lose their jobs.

They need to come South to a right to work state (like Georgia). I guarantee you they could make a good living here! We were raised on that stuff! lol

I think the Bakers union is to blame. I doubt they would come to GA. Surely they would choose a state with a better tax structure - FL, TN, etc

I for one am overjoyed at the twinkies demise. Something that does not mold or decay and could probably outlive a nuclear horror with the cockroaches needs to go far away. Oh and take your cheap ass non nutitional garbage wonder bread with you

Well Paul, maybe they could make a new product that has some amount of nutrition, although anything processed has none. While I was raised on the stuff, I don't partake today nor do I give them to my grandchildren. In fact, we're kind of in a non-processed snack phase right now so that hopefully, the next generation will learn better health habits.
If Hostess Company could take advantage of the war on obesity and find something that tastes good yet is nutritious, they might find a new market.
Of course, you and I both know that won't change anything. Until most people have health problems, they won't change. It's just sad that they don't at least try to change it for their children.

NOT all the union workers lost their jobs. The President of that Baker's Union keeps his $200,000+ a year job, as a union boss, and just moves on to another "Boss" position in another union slot. One day these folks will realize unions are killing this country.

Many years ago at the grand opening of the Kmart on the Atlanta highway we sold over 30,000 Twinkies in less than a week!

PRO UNION here need all the help I can get.

It appears Hostess may have a buyer.
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2012/11/16/flowers-foods-stock-jumps-on-hostess.html

All you people who are so eager to believe the CEO of the company as he puts all the blame on the lowest level of workers instead of accepting that it was HIS leadership and top level of workers: you need to stop fancying yourself as members of the ruling class and educate yourself on the facts of this company. Hostss has declared bankruptcy twice in the past 8 years. It's poorly run, by a chump who points the fingers on the employees who actually earn their pay. As for unions, I'm no great fan of them myself, but they would not exist, and never would have developed, if corporations treated their workers with basic human respect.

ATL,
Problems are always deeper than what the surface can show you, many of have made assumptions - the Union is the problem the management is the problem. Simple, these are very bad times for many corporations, and ones that are already having difficulty, well it's even worse. I don't care for most unions for one reason, the union does not care about the individual, even though that is what they sell. It is all about power, honestly why would you sell out 18,500 co-workers to prove what. That is stupidity, that is union. Yup, the bosses move on to another group, the individual needs to start thinking and questioning the bosses, both the corporate boss and the union boss. Too many jobs have been lost because of unions, I feel sorry for the guy who just doesn't have a clue.

"As the company was asking for more givebacks from workers, a group of creditors said in court papers that the company “may have manipulated its executives’ salaries higher in the months leading up to its Chapter 11 filing,” again according to the WSJ. According to the creditors’ court filing, the following Hostess executives saw substantial salary increases in July 2011:

■Brian Driscoll, CEO, from around $750,000 to $2,550,000
■Gary Wandscheider, EVP, $500,000 to $900,000
■John Stewart, EVP, $400,000 to $700,000
■David Loeser, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
■Kent Magill, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
■Richard Seban, EVP, $375,00o to $656,256
■John Akeson, SVP, $300,000 to $480,000
■Steven Birgfeld, SVP, $240,000 to $360,000
■Martha Ross, SVP, $240,000 to $360,000
■Rob Kissick, SVP, $182,000 t0 $273,008"

http://dailynewsfinder.com/2012/11/17/everything-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-hostess-brands-story/

The article above sites many examples of poor management and/or poor decisions that have been made in the past 10 years that caused the demise of this company.

By the way, I have never been in a union, but I was in management for 28 years working with union employees.

If the Hostess CEO had an affair with Suzy Q, is it a Wonder why the Union boss called her a Ho Ho? The company’s upper management may be Ding Dongs but aren’t the union members acting like a bunch of Fruit Pies for throwing Sno Balls at the Twinkie makers? What I do know is that Little girl named Debbie down the street is one happy Zinger and is no longer the Mini Muffin of the snack industry.

Yes there are other Tasty Kakes out there ...
Try your tea with a Krimpet?

There's always Little Debbie...