Ding dong! Twinkies are gone! Unions Strike Again!

[frank ryan]

I have a few thought on this issue. I am not familiar with their union, BCTGM. Per Wikipedia they have around 100,000 members. I’d guess that the number is slightly elevated. With close to 7,000 members losing their job that union is losing a big chunk of its membership. Supposedly they didn’t want to allow the company to set an example by giving in to the concessions.
You need to look at the situation from the union-side vantage point with a couple of different perspectives. One, what did they union want? It doesn’t seem typical for this union to want to risk losing close to a tenth of its membership. That 100,000 is the international total for them not just U.S. If the union pushed for this strike, I’d want to know why. It is entirely possible that the membership simply did not want to cave. You don’t have to believe me, but typically unions don’t like striking. Sometimes their leaders interfere and get involved to try and avoid striking. There is a saying “Unions only do what their members make them do.” It is entirely plausible that the members wouldn’t sign off on the concessions regardless of what union bosses wanted. Some of Hostesses workers belong to the Teamsters. Those guys voted to accept the concessions but it was a narrow decision. Interestingly enough (and troubling to me) the Teamsters didn’t just accept the concessions, they crossed the picket line. As much as you may not like Hoffa, word is he pushed for this. So even with leadership pushing to avoid the strike the Teamsters barely did so.
The BCTGM is likely a husk of a union. It is looking like some 18,000 people are out of work. Most of them aren’t union members. So if these non-members work at plants and factories with other union members this is a big indictment of the BCTGM. They have to be doing a shitty job if their density is under 50 %. If you want to measure whether a company is hated by employees and or if a union is effective, look at the rate of membership in right to work places. 80 % is considered the max. Under half of the workforce is pitiful.
Looking at the Teamsters and the BCTGM show a contrast between old labor and more progressive unionists. I don’t know what the Teamsters growth rate is, but I believe they are headed in the right direction. The BCTGM looks like it is just sitting there bleeding and dying.

[BoylenOver]

If these Hostess products are no longer made, where will I find over-processed sweets with zero nutritional value?

[Indy Coug]

If these Hostess products are no longer made, where will I find over-processed sweets with zero nutritional value?

The Wilkinson Center

[wuapinmon]

If these Hostess products are no longer made, where will I find over-processed sweets with zero nutritional value?

Have you never met Little Debbie? She's a sweet girl.

[byu71]

no, it's not your fault, but I feel that I should educate you nonetheless.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twink_(gay_slang)

I appreciate that and your approach.

When this happens and someone automatically goes off with accusation, my response to them is to F-off, I was using the term in a different manner first.

I am sick and tired of all these things that offend these so called protected classes and yet all I hear now is "old white men". No one seems to give a shit about offending old white men

While I am thinking of this, I will gladly pay for Sandra Fuks birth control pills as long as she promises to never stop taking them.

[frank ryan]

I appreciate that and your approach.

When this happens and someone automatically goes off with accusation, my response to them is to F-off, I was using the term in a different manner first.

I am sick and tired of all these things that offend these so called protected classes and yet all I hear now is "old white men". No one seems to give a shit about offened these folks.

LOL!!!!!!!!!

[frank ryan]

he'll get here.

I am interested in what he has to say about the issue, provided he has access to accurate information.

How should I take that? I don't share valid opinions? I'm pretty honest on here. Too honest.

[Tone Loc]

I have a few thought on this issue. I am not familiar with their union, BCTGM. Per Wikipedia they have around 100,000 members. I’d guess that the number is slightly elevated. With close to 7,000 members losing their job that union is losing a big chunk of its membership. Supposedly they didn’t want to allow the company to set an example by giving in to the concessions.
You need to look at the situation from the union-side vantage point with a couple of different perspectives. One, what did they union want? It doesn’t seem typical for this union to want to risk losing close to a tenth of its membership. That 100,000 is the international total for them not just U.S. If the union pushed for this strike, I’d want to know why. It is entirely possible that the membership simply did not want to cave. You don’t have to believe me, but typically unions don’t like striking. Sometimes their leaders interfere and get involved to try and avoid striking. There is a saying “Unions only do what their members make them do.” It is entirely plausible that the members wouldn’t sign off on the concessions regardless of what union bosses wanted. Some of Hostesses workers belong to the Teamsters. Those guys voted to accept the concessions but it was a narrow decision. Interestingly enough (and troubling to me) the Teamsters didn’t just accept the concessions, they crossed the picket line. As much as you may not like Hoffa, word is he pushed for this. So even with leadership pushing to avoid the strike the Teamsters barely did so.
The BCTGM is likely a husk of a union. It is looking like some 18,000 people are out of work. Most of them aren’t union members. So if these non-members work at plants and factories with other union members this is a big indictment of the BCTGM. They have to be doing a shitty job if their density is under 50 %. If you want to measure whether a company is hated by employees and or if a union is effective, look at the rate of membership in right to work places. 80 % is considered the max. Under half of the workforce is pitiful.
Looking at the Teamsters and the BCTGM show a contrast between old labor and more progressive unionists. I don’t know what the Teamsters growth rate is, but I believe they are headed in the right direction. The BCTGM looks like it is just sitting there bleeding and dying.

If/when someone comes in and purchases the assets and ramps business back up I wonder who will get hired first of the 18,000 employees, union or non-union workers. I know who I would hire.

[frank ryan]

If/when someone comes in and purchases the assets and ramps business back up I wonder who will get hired first of the 18,000 employees, union or non-union workers. I know who I would hire.

I'm betting seniority plays a role in call back rights.

[Tone Loc]

I'm betting seniority plays a role in call back rights.

Could part of the negotiations that take place for the purchase of the remaining assets be that the new company can hire anyone they want? Or is that going to be dictated by state laws?

[snowcat]

I'm betting seniority plays a role in call back rights.

I would be surprised if new ownership recalled employees. I would expect that employess would have to apply for a job and be hired by the new company.

[RC Vikings]

What happens to pension money in a case like this?

[frank ryan]

Could part of the negotiations that take place for the purchase of the remaining assets be that the new company can hire anyone they want? Or is that going to be dictated by state laws?

I don't know but I would think federal law would come into play where. The National Labor relations act.

[U-Ute]

I am sick and tired of all these things that offend these so called protected classes and yet all I hear now is "old white men". No one seems to give a shit about offending old white men

While I am thinking of this, I will gladly pay for Sandra Fuks birth control pills as long as she promises to never stop taking them.

"Get off my lawn!"

[old_gregg]

What happens to pension money in a case like this?

the pension fund is a separate legal entity and at least a portion of the payments are guaranteed by the pbgc