Strike in Tulsa continues as Hostess announces nationwide closure
BY KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer
Friday, November 16, 2012
11/16/12 at 1:38 PM
Related story: Dozens of striking Hostess bakery workers in Tulsa didn't budge Thursday afternoon after a threat by executive management to liquidate the company if the companywide walkout and protest continued.
Workers continue to strike at Tulsa’s Hostess Wonder Bread bakery Friday morning despite the announcement by Hostess Inc. officials that they plan to shut down its operations and liquidate the company.
Hostess Brands Inc. filed a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Friday morning to liquidate the company, including 33 factories, after strikers didn’t respond to a deadline Thursday afternoon to return to work. The Tulsa factory employs 160 people.
A spokesman for Hostess Brands Inc. said the company’s decision to shut down and liquidate is final, even if striking workers decided to come back.
“There is nothing to come back to,” said Hostess spokesman Lance Ignon. “For all intents and purposes Hostess is done.”
Workers have been striking for nearly a week at the Tulsa factory and dozens of factories elsewhere over a contract with workers that would enact pay cuts and reductions in benefits and pensions.
"We've been through these kind of threats before every step of the way," said Doyle Briggs, a 26-year employee at the factory. "When we rejected the contract they threatened to shut the company down. This is just more of the same."
Hostess Brands Inc. is working its way through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan that company executives say requires union employees to make sacrifices to make Hostess sustainable and profitable again.
Hostess officials say union salary and pension commitments are too much for the company.
“We deeply regret the necessity of today’s decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike,” said Hostess chairman and CEO Gregory F. Rayburn in a statement Friday morning. “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 complete liquidation would mean laying off 18,500 employees, closing 565 distribution centers, 5,500 delivery routes and 570 bakery outlets throughout the country.
Hostess Brands Inc. is the maker of Twinkies, Ding-dongs, Wonder Bread and other bread and snack food brands.
Associated Images:
Workers on the picket line at the main entrance of the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
Doyle Briggs (left), a 26 year emplyee, and Henry Meredith, a 37 year employee, talk about their take on the current negotiations as they stand with other workers on the picket line at the main entrance of the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
Signs on the picket line at the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
Workers on the picket line at the main entrance of the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
Signs on the picket line at the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
Workers on the picket line at the main entrance of the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
Larry Chandler (right), a 51 year employee, talks about his take on the current negotiations as he stands with other workers on the picket line at one of the entrances of the Hostess bakery at 11th & Sheridan Friday in Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
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