Twinkies and Wonder Bread are history as Hostess shuts down after labor dispute

After two bankruptcies and a major strike, perhaps pulling the plug was the only solution.

Side note: this is a terrible submission title. For one, that's not the headline of the linked article, and two, these brands aren't "history" -- they will be sold to other companies just like all their other assets.

This is the side effect of who is in power in Washington. Labor unions have been steadily growing stronger under this administration.

We haven't seen companies shutting down because of labor unions at least in a while. Yes there are strikes at companies but it finally works out.

This is just the beginning and there will be many more to follow where a good company shuts down and thousands loose their jobs. In this, 18000 workers will loose their job. Thanks to Labor unions.

My political bias is pre-disposed to want to blame the union for this, and I'm sure the truth is more nuanced (more competition with healthy snacks, etc), but man, the things I've read so far sure aren't helping... Sure, a ~10% pay cut sucks, cue discussion about stagnant wages and all that, but if your company is struggling that's gotta be better than a 100% cut.

Before you start hording them to ebay, etc. the idea that Twinkies last forever is a complete myth. They are "only" good for 25 days before they spoil.

Fun fact: twinkies were created to look like a banana alternative and first filled with banana filling - during WorldWar II when there was a banana shortage

One less source of more Carbs for this world?

I will remind people here the following: Indiana is a right-to-work state. This was passed last year.

Right to work lowers employer burden why someone is laid off/fired. Along with that, makes it a felony to require union dues to work at a company. However, the union is still required to represent you upon its charter.

Hostess also lost a sizable chunk of money with the lawsuit concerning Sachs donuts. Because of things I do not understand, Hostess had to kill all lines of yeast donuts and all "packaged fresh" yeast donuts. And from talking to employees of Hostess in Columbus,IN, those machines were scrapped.

A good reason why the union was giving hell was Hostess wanted to cut wages by almost 20%: the union already agreed to a 10% cut and reduction of benefits. Hostess wanted 9% more, and threw a tantrum here locally.

Who was in the right? I have no idea. But it looks the the nuclear option was used: blow it to the ground.