Hostess faces bakers union strike
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Thousands of members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) continue to walk the picket line outside of Hostess bakeries across the United States, including at a plant on Jacksonville's Northside.
Last week union members rejected a proposed contract by Hostess by a 92 percent margin according to BCTGM.
BCTGM represents around 6,600 Hostess employees nationwide and over 100 in Jacksonville.
According to the union, the new contract would mean taking both wage and benefit cuts.
Hostess Brands released the following statement about the strike: "A widespread strike will cause Hostess brands to liquidate if we are unable to produce or deliver products. If that's the case, the company will move promptly to lay off most of its 18,300-member workforce and focus on selling its assets to the highest bidders. We urge our employees to remain on the job to rebuild the company."
"We know the concessions are tough, but it would make more sense for unhappy employees to simply leave the company voluntarily than to strike and cause the company to close down, forcing everyone to lose their jobs."
Hostess Brands was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Hostess Brands include Hostess®, Wonder®, Nature's Pride®, Dolly Madison®, Drake's®, Merita®, Butternut®, and Home Pride®.
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