Judge Drops the Hammer on Union Members at Hostess

[xchrom]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/13171/judge_drops_the_hammer_on_union_members_at_hostess/

Allows company to cancel union contracts; on same day, Twinkie-maker sends lay-off notices to all 18,500 workers

A federal judge is moving to end a tense labor standoff at Hostess Brands by bringing the heavy hand of bankruptcy law down in favor of the corporate managers and against the employees who produce the cakes and breads that have made the company famous.

Judge Robert Drain issued an order May 4 giving the company permission to unilaterally cancel union contracts covering thousands of production workers at the plants where Wonder Bread, Twinkies and dozens of other goods are made. The workers—represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union (BCTGM)—may see their wages and benefits arbitrarily reduced by the company, as well as losing the labor union rights they have enjoyed for decades.

Drain’s decision is equally bad news for the Hostess employees represented by the Teamsters and a half-dozen other smaller unions. Bankruptcy court proceedings are already in progress to strip these workers of their labor rights as well, and Drain’s action against the BCTGM indicates that other union members can expect the same sort of treatment at his hands.

“I just don’t know what is going to happen right now, but it’s not going to be a pretty picture,” BCTGM President Frank Hurt told In These Times this week. “I don’t have any hope that this company can be saved,” in its current form because of these developments, he said.

[Bluzmann57]

1. I used to belong to the BCTGM Union

Until the place I worked for shut the doors and went to the Southern USA and Mexico. I am eligible to collect pension from the Union. But now that this is happening to Wonder Bread/Hostess people, there may not be any money left by the time I'm eligible for full benefits. So thanks Hostess, nothing like fucking not only the 18,500 current workers but many thousands of former Union members as well. No more Hostess products in the Bluzmann household unless the Union members keep their wages and benefits.

[G_j]

2. ..giving the company permission to unilaterally cancel union contracts..

time to boycott Hostess?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Um, they're laying off ALL 18,500 employees. ALL production is ceasing.

There won't be anything to boycott.

[leftyohiolib]

4. it's only ceasing untill they hire scabby replacements to work for pennies on the dollar

there's still alot of hostess garbage on the market

[leftyohiolib]

5. Cancellation of the Teamster contracts next week could well provoke a new crisis at the company,

Cancellation of the Teamster contracts next week could well provoke a new crisis at the company, according to statements from union leaders. Rank-and-file members have already voted to authorize a strike if the contracts are cancelled, and Hostess officials have warned that such an action could mean the final collapse of the company.

the management killed this company not union workers. with the help of "judge" drain

[FreakinDJ]

6. management killed this company not union workers - BINGO !!