Say Goodbye to the Twinkie :(

[dr_mayus]

So it seems that the Hostess is closing down production of that deliciously terrible food the Twinkie (among others) and will be laying off almost 19,000 workers. This seems to be caused by production stoppage when workers went on strike and escalated when Union leaders lied to the workers about the company having a buyer in the wings (when no such buyer existed).

Will you be sad to see the Twinkie go? I for one haven't had one in years, but I do remember liking them immensely.

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Hostess Brands Inc. says it's going out of business after striking workers across the country crippled its ability to make its Twinkies, Ding Dongs and other snacks.

The company had warned employees that it would file a motion with U.S. Bankruptcy Court Friday seeking permission to shutter its operations and sell its brands if plants hadn't resumed normal operations by a Thursday evening deadline. The deadline passed without a deal.

The closing would mean the loss of about 18,500 jobs across the United States.

"I don't know if they thought that was a bluff," CEO Gregory Rayburn said on CNBC Friday. He said the financial impact of the strike makes it "too late" to save the company even if workers have a change of heart. That's because the clients such as retailers decide to stop carrying products when supplies aren't adequate.

Rayburn said he's hopeful that the company will find buyers for its roster of about 30 brands, which also include Ho Hos, Dolly Madison, Drake's and Nature's Pride snacks and Wonder Bread. The company books about $2.5 billion in sales a year.

In Canada, George Weston Ltd. of Toronto (TSX:WN) counts Wonder Bread among its brands while Montreal-based Saputo Inc. (TSX:SAP) has rights to the Hostess brand but doesn't include Twinkies in its current lineup of snack cakes.

Weston holds the rights to the Wonder Bread name in Canada independently and company spokesman Geoff Wilson said Friday that it has no interest in acquiring the manufacturing assets or brand names of Hostess in the U.S.

Hostess, based in Irving, Texas, said its stores will remain open for several days to sell remaining products. Operations at its 33 factories were suspended Friday. The privately held company filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, its second trip through bankruptcy court in less than a decade.

The move comes after thousands of members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union went on strike last week after rejecting a contract offer that slashed wages and benefits in September. The bakers union represents about 30 per cent of the company's workforce.

Rayburn said the union's leadership had misled members into believing there was a buyer in the wings who would rescue the company. He said the union hadn't returned the company's calls for the past month.

A union representative did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Hostess had said earlier this week that production at about a dozen of its plants were seriously affected by the strike. Although many workers decided to cross picket lines, the company said it wasn't enough to keep operations at normal levels. Three plants were closed earlier this week.

Hostess had already reached a contract agreement with its largest union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Teamsters had urged the bakery union this week to hold a secret ballot on whether to continue striking.

Hostess said the company is unprofitable under its current cost structure, in large part because of union wages and pension costs. Rayburn said in a statement on the company website that all employees will eventually lose their jobs, "some sooner than others."

"Unfortunately, because we are in bankruptcy, there are severe limits on the assistance the (company) can offer you at this time," Rayburn wrote.

Hostess, founded in 1930, was fighting battles beyond labour costs. Competition is increasing in the snack space and Americans are increasingly conscious about healthy eating.

Twinkie maker Hostess moves to wind down operations, lay off its 18,500 workers - Winnipeg Free Press

I guess Apu was wrong, you can hurt a Twinkie

[User011010]

I heard about this...it's truly a sad day, Bye Hostess, you will be missed

[Pancake Model]

Well there goes half my diet

[daftprophet]

I'm more sad that there will be that many without a job...otherwise good...been keeping kids overweight and obese since they been around.

[themute88orl]

I've never had a Twinkie and I don't think I ever want to. I do feel bad that 19k people are out of work just like that though.

[JetGirl]

i haven't had any of their sweets since i was a little kid, i think its time i go stock up on some memorable favorites for old times sake before they are gone forever!

and agreed, the loss of jobs is terrible, i'm sure many of those people have been there for many many years and i know from experience that its tough to move onto something else after that long of a time.

[cengizbobengiz]

19,000 jobs? That's sure to fuck up the economy more than it is now. So they went on strike, and now 19,000 are out on the street... Great idea guys!

[daftprophet]

Also, if you can still find one, it will last forever due to the crazy horrible ingredients that are in them.

[Krysta91]

i agree also, the loss of that many jobs is terrible. farewell hostess i will definitely miss the snowballs

[Qurbalicious]

I never really liked Twinkies... but I feel bad for those losing their jobs.

[Pancake Model]

Also, if you can still find one, it will last forever due to the crazy horrible ingredients that are in them.

They survived a nuclear holocaust in Family Guy

[Nagflar]

Good thing I live here, so I'll still have them near me for whenever I want to eat fifty of them .

[Tmac718]

Fairwell hostess!!! "Now thats the stuff!" havent had any of there stuff in years but Ill never forget your quality commercials.

[Qurbalicious]

They survived a nuclear holocaust in Family Guy

Lmfao! That's what made people's stomach explode!

[DETfaninATL]

This is heartbreaking - I'm going to miss the Twinkie. My 5th personal food group ;-) It also sucks 18K peeps are going to lose their jobs, but hopefully people start realizing unions aren't what they used to be and are doing more harm than good to our economy, companies and political environment these days.....

[SirDrRoger]

This is a sad day. Guess I better have one while I still have the chance.

[Pancake Model]

The price of hostess products on ebay is skyrocketing. A box of zingers for $60

[Nagflar]

The price of hostess products on ebay is skyrocketing. A box of zingers for $60

Better grab them at the stores while you can to re-sell them for a big ass profit.

[Kid_Loser]

I can't tell which is more sad, the layoffs? or the end of Twinkies?

[Nagflar]

I can't tell which is more sad, the layoffs? or the end of Twinkies?

The layoffs have directly saddened all 19,000 laid-off workers, plus their families. Meanwhile, the loss of Twinkies has saddened hundreds of thousands of people. You choose which is sadder.