Twinkies?

[Kermit]

Marx would be proud.

Which one? Groucho, Chico or Harpo?

Chico, I always support minorities.

[MaryS]

Probably because the unions are the first to demand that businesses "share" their financial success with the workers yet don't feel that sharing financial downturns would be equally appropriate. When labor becomes a fixed cost it makes it hard to maneuver through economic hard times.

Plenty of blame to go around.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/helaineolen ... -twinkies/

...Hostess has been sold at least three times since the 1980s, racking up debt and shedding profitable assets along the way with each successive merger. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, and again in 2011. Little thought was given to the line of products, which, frankly, began to seem a bit dated in the age of the gourmet cupcake. (100 calorie Twinkie Bites? When was the last time you entered Magnolia Bakery and asked about the calorie count?)

As if all this were not enough, Hostess Brands’ management gave themselves several raises, all the while complaining that the workers who actually produced the products that made the firm what money it did earn were grossly overpaid relative to the company’s increasingly dismal financial position....

[Kermit]

Probably because the unions are the first to demand that businesses "share" their financial success with the workers yet don't feel that sharing financial downturns would be equally appropriate. When labor becomes a fixed cost it makes it hard to maneuver through economic hard times.

Plenty of blame to go around.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/helaineolen ... -twinkies/

...Hostess has been sold at least three times since the 1980s, racking up debt and shedding profitable assets along the way with each successive merger. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, and again in 2011. Little thought was given to the line of products, which, frankly, began to seem a bit dated in the age of the gourmet cupcake. (100 calorie Twinkie Bites? When was the last time you entered Magnolia Bakery and asked about the calorie count?)

As if all this were not enough, Hostess Brands’ management gave themselves several raises, all the while complaining that the workers who actually produced the products that made the firm what money it did earn were grossly overpaid relative to the company’s increasingly dismal financial position....

Hmmm. A lot like Congress.

[Thinkinproblem]

Holy smokes MaryS. You mean while these bakers were scratching an clawing for maybe 25 cent raise in their wage, and trying to keep health coverage for their families, management, instead of focusing on how to see their company through difficult times(i.e. do their job), decided to raid the coffers and give themselves pay raises?

I wonder how big the raises were that they gave themselves.

[The Bart]

It never ceases to amaze, when a company experiences problems or goes under, the fault is always assigned to front line workers or unions as may be the case. There is never a mention of management mistakes. It always falls on the little guy.

Probably because the unions are the first to demand that businesses "share" their financial success with the workers yet don't feel that sharing financial downturns would be equally appropriate. When labor becomes a fixed cost it makes it hard to maneuver through economic hard times.

Not correct. If the business opens the books the unions have been known to adjust to help the business. That's a well known fact. If on the other hand businesses want concessions, without proof, then that's another story.

[Thinkinproblem]

Probably because the unions are the first to demand that businesses "share" their financial success with the workers yet don't feel that sharing financial downturns would be equally appropriate. When labor becomes a fixed cost it makes it hard to maneuver through economic hard times.[/quote]

AndyC, I don't understand what the problems with unions are.

The football games that you are watching today are being played by by unionized staff. They are the best in the business. The owners recently signed a 15 BILLion dollar tv contract. Why shouldn't the players see some of that.

The fireman who would someday rush into your burning house and save you and save your house is mostlikley a member of a union. The policeman who might someday step between you and a would-be killer is most likely a member of a union.

The nurse who treats you in a hospital while you might lay in bed with tubes up your nose is most likely a member of a union.

The jet plane that you may fly in was very likely put together on an assembly line by union workers. Practically every piece of that same jet plane was designed by highly educated unionized engineers.

The meds that you might take are very likely prepared and dispensed by unionized highly educated pharmacists.

I must be missing something.

[Andyc]

AndyC, I don't understand what the problems with unions are.

The football games that you are watching today are being played by by unionized staff. They are the best in the business. The owners recently signed a 15 BILLion dollar tv contract. Why shouldn't the players see some of that.

The fireman who would someday rush into your burning house and save you and save your house is mostlikley a member of a union. The policeman who might someday step between you and a would-be killer is most likely a member of a union.

The nurse who treats you in a hospital while you might lay in bed with tubes up your nose is most likely a member of a union.

The jet plane that you may fly in was very likely put together on an assembly line by union workers. Practically every piece of that same jet plane was designed by highly educated unionized engineers.

The meds that you might take are very likely prepared and dispensed by unionized highly educated pharmacists.

I must be missing something.

Don't see a problem with unions? I give you exhibit A, California. The state has been held hostage forever by the teachers union. Our schools are the worst. Incompetent teachers can't be fired. No politician can hope to be elected without kissing their feet or face outright lies on TV commercials paid for by the union.

I have no problem with the concept of a union being a negotiating body for people who want such representation. I have a problem with someone who is forced into having such representation and being bullied into toeing the union line.

None of workers you cited above achieved their position because they were in a union.

[Andyc]

Not correct. If the business opens the books the unions have been known to adjust to help the business. That's a well known fact. If on the other hand businesses want concessions, without proof, then that's another story.

Not many have been known to do so. So I don't accept your "fact".

A business shouldn't have to offer any proof. If the workers don't want to work for what is offered they can just say no or go elsewhere. They can go out and start their own business with their skills and keep all of the profit.

[Handsomepolack]

Andy c we are bit like Greece i think, socialism ,entitlement, a welfare state..........troubled years ahead i think

[Handsomepolack]

civil servants you lucky .....blanks, you got it made, private sector no raises or pensions, hummm, something not quite fair i think.