Hostess Brands Inc. went out of business in November after being "saddled with high pension, wage and medical costs related to its unionized workforce." But have no fear, the taxpayer is here! The United States Department of Labor has stepped in to help the union workers with "Trade Adjustment Assistance."
Back in November, Candice Choi and Tom Murphy of My FOX dfw reported that the combination of "intensifying" competition, in addition to "a long battle with its unions," was too much for the iconic maker of Twinkies and they were forced to close their doors. One would think that instead of holding out for more pay, the unionized employees would have either agreed to terms for the good of the future of their firm, or sought employment elsewhere. Bakery union boss Frank Hurt released a statement at the time acknowledging that by going on strike, the union workers "were well aware of the potential consequences of their actions but stood strong for dignity, justice and respect." This move cost them their jobs and in the process, an American company was forced to shut down; a company with brands dating back to 1888. A statement made by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, not surprisingly, blamed "Bain-style Wall Street vultures."
However, the taxpayer will rescue these workers with what Warner Todd Huston of Liberty News refers to as a "union payoff with our tax dollars." Huston reports that the U.S. Department of Labor "has designated more than 18,000 former Hostess employees as eligible for 'Trade Adjustment Assistance.'" He weaves a must-read tale of how this move was justified. Trade Adjustment Assistance is compensation that "provides support to those workers who lost their jobs due to foreign trade," as reported by WCSH6.
In a recession in particular, the move by the unions was clearly irresponsible and as a result, thousand of people were laid off. As usual, America is footing the bill and the mainstream media is silent.
Image Source: Red State
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Comments: 52
From the Dept of Labor announcement:
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 18,000 workers laid off in 48 states from 864 Hostess company locations are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.
“As President Obama said in his State of the Union address, ‘to grow our middle class, our citizens must have access to the education and training that today’s jobs require,’†said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. “Trade Adjustment Assistance enables workers to pursue training in the skills that today’s employers need, contributing not just to a stronger middle class, but to a stronger American economy.â€
This TAA certification was based on a Labor Department investigation to determine whether the layoff event met the group eligibility criteria set forth by the Trade Act of 1974. An investigation found that increased imports of baked products contributed importantly to the company’s sales declines and worker separations.
I've been paying their Salaries, and now they want me to foot the Bill for their Unemployment, too???
Well, ok, perhaps I've bent the truth just a little, but I very well couldn't tell it "On Air." ;]
Absolutely. It's all part of the agenda....and the players are the ones who get rewards....on our dime.
Look OUT! Granny's PACKIN'!!!!
Check it...She's got the Shades, Pearl Earrings and Lipstick workin'...
She means BUSINESS!!!
But of course, it's always the union's fault.
When a company goes bankrupt, everyone with any skill, ability, and experience, jumps ship to another job - the quicker the better.
So who is left to liquidate the company?
The losers that cant get another job, and will blow it, causing all the investors (like you and me) to lose the money they put IN the company.
Companies always, always, always, offer a bonus to anyone that stays on and DOES A GOOD JOB during the liquidation.
That is IF they stay on, and IF they do a good job.
Who do you think should stay and sell offg the real estate, trucks, equipment furniture, etc?
Someone that mixed the batter for the twinkies?
Stop believing the lies the union told you (and I bet all the union bosses are still getting THEIR fuill sdalary and bonus's - for doing nothing)
And yes, when a union lies to its members, to to a point of destoying a company, it IS thier fault.
Caused by their own stupidity, of not knowing the first thing about running a company - only about running off scabs with Louisville sluggers.
It was the union bosses who lost the jobs for these folks, plain and simple. They're still working.
When will people wise up and ditch all the unions???
People I grew up with, are still sitting on the same bar stools 30 years after the mines closed - claiming it was to break the unions - that the owners made "so much money" and are losing money every day the mines are closed - they will re-open "any day now".
The fact that those owners lost their jobs, homes, cars, cash, retirement, savings and furniture - means nothing to those workers ............... cause the unions told them it was all a "ploy".
If new owners came in,m there would be no contract between them and the unions.
But the violence I have witnessed, and that has been threatened - they would have no other choice in reality.
I went to simply play music in a bar, and the Teamsters came in "support of their brothers' (the Musicians Union). Six of them with louisville sluggers. The owner was told he should never try to hire non-union again - and was mentioned, that his 'inventory' or booze would cause one heck of a fire .......
Rest assured - the unions would not physically allow them to re-open without a new bigger contract than ever. Doomed to failure.