by MATT GORDON Editor-in-chief
The snack food giant Hostess has agreed to meet with a small labor union, possibly ending the compny’s unexpected closing. The company will mill meet with the labor union Wednesday, November 21 to attempt reach a deal that would svae the company from having to close and lay off workers. Hostess Chief Executive Gregory Rayburn said, “Everybody would agree that 18,500 people out of work would be about as bad a result as you can get.” Along with laying off workers, the company was exploring possible options of selling brands, recipes, and other assets in order to pay its creditors. The company filed for bankruptcy earlier in the year and announced it would close after long contract talks with a baker’s union almost forced a mass layoff of 18,500 jobs and the closing of hundreds of plants nationwide. The closing was attributed to the baker’s strike caused by long contract talks with the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union. The strike did not allow products to be produced and shipped from 12 of the company’s 33 factories nationwide. The company ordered employees back to work before Friday, November 16, and when they did not listen, the company was forced to propose a plan to close its factories and lay off most of its workers. On Friday, Rayburn said, “We deeply regret the necessity of today’s decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike. Hostess Brands will move promptly to lay off most of its 18,500-member workforce and focus on selling its assets to the highest bidders.” A Hostess closing would mean no more of the famous Twinkies or Ding-Dongs, their most popular products. In fact, stores across the nation have seen a massive increase in Twinkie sales due to the company’s proposed closing. Hopefully for Hostess fans, the company will be able to come to agreement and continue manufacturing their beloved products.