Twinkie talk: When a union boss disagrees with his boss
Even a union boss has a boss, which is the situation Bob Ryder found himself in during the toe-to-toe standoff at Hostess Brands Inc -- maker of Wonder Bread and Twinkies.
Twinkie talk: When a union boss disagrees with his boss
Jane M. Von Bergen, Inquirer Staff Writer
Even a union boss has a boss, which is the situation Bob Ryder found himself in during the toe-to-toe standoff at Hostess Brands Inc -- maker of Wonder Bread and Twinkies.
The long-troubled company, which operates bakeries around the country and a plant in Northeast Philadelphia, threatened that it would shut its business if plant operations didn't return to normal by Thursday, putting 18,000 out of work. In the throes of bankruptcy, Hostess Brands Inc. asked for major concessions from its two major unions -- the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers.
The Teamsters sent ballots to the homes of its members, who narrowly approved the concessions. The Bakers held their election in the union halls and the concessions were defeated. The Bakers went on strike and the Teamsters were put in the position of having to cross a picket line.
"My people never crossed a picket line in their lives," said Ryder, who heads Teamsters Local 463. He represents 130 drivers, packing workers and mechanics at the Northeast Philadelphia plant.
Ryder didn't agree with the results of the Teamster vote, and even more, he didn't agree with the decision to cross the picket line. That decision, at least locally, Ryder said, came from William Hamilton, who heads the regional organization of Teamsters, District Council 53. Ryder said Hamilton told him that he was under orders from the national union, headed by James Hoffa Jr., to not sanction the strike.
"We voted to accept the concessions," Ryder said, sadly. He thinks accepting the concessions opens the doors for other companies to seek the same concession. And, in the end, he said, the result at Hostess would be the same. They were on their way out of business. "It would have been just a matter of time before they closed," he said.
Ryder has long been at odds with the local and national leadership of the Teamsters, supporting a rival who tried, unsuccessfully, to unseat Hoffa.
Click here to read about the Hostess shutdown.
Click here to read Joe DiStefano's blog about potential suitors.
They'll hopefully reorganize and hire non-union workers.— Muffin- Re-open with non-union workers. Union dues are legal thuggery.— klsgolfer
- I wonder how much the Union Leaders earn per year. Do they still cash a check when the members go on strike? If I were the head of the Bakers Union, I would watch my back. No telling when an unhappy, unemployed union member might cross your path.— coachie
- What is the education level of those union leaders? Appears clear none have actual contract negotiation skills nor reside in the 21st century. What will the unions do now relative to assisting those who lost their job secure gainful employment? Are there even 300 jobs available in Philly which all of those now unemployed are skilled and will start at the same salary and benefits that have now been lost? There was a time when unions were needed yet in the 21st century there are now Federal, State and local laws on the books that support workers rights. Seems clear you don't need some ego maniac making decisions for you - learn to negotiate your own salary, memorize the DOL laws, and stop funding those who aren't able to face reality.— Moving On
Why doesn't the union just buy the company???- The company is in bankruptcy court. That means that it was losing money and couldn't pay its debts. In bankruptcy, labor contracts can be rejected in an attempt to save the company by returning it to profitability. Apparently, the union bosses thought someone was going to "bail out" the company. But there is no advantage to buying a failing company unless its labor costs can be reduced enough to make it profitable.— Falls Ed
- Thanks for the help, Ed, but I was thinking the "advantage" of the union getting involved in trying to resurrect the company is "Jobs"... With the company there is a chance, without it thjere is no shot... The thought occurred to me because I would have preferred that course of action had I been an employee in this matter...
- just watch tastetake or someone else step up and buy them out, granted it is ashame that they shutdown but i believe governor christie will stock up on twinkies because they last forever. remember zombieland ?— eddiot
- Union members are stooges and suckers for union bosses while the union bosses enjoy six and seven figure incomes at the members expense. Anyone who listens to the thug union bosses is an idiot who is acting against their own interest. Union bosses are members of the ruling politcal class just like demoRATS. They destroy and demolish everything in their path and then leave it in the waste land and then move on to their next victim. Welcome to Obummerville and the union thug dominated economy, this is just the beginning with more hits to come. But most of you voted for it so I guess you love it than the rest of us should love it, because Obummer's policies shall hurt most of the demoRATS who voted for him.— Speak-truth-2-power
- The union leader that has never ran a business other than using force to collect union dues knew they were going out of business anyway so he decided to make sooner rather than later. In a way he was right, that corporation will go out of business but the branded products can be produced anywhere by anyone who buys the brands and the union contract is with the company not the brands.— dunce
