Area Bakers Union Urges Support for Hostess Strikers

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)With thousands of Hostess workers now on strike across the country, the local baker’s union is urging support for the struggle. “Please demonstrate your solidarity by sending a message of support to the Hostess strikers,” urges Bakers Local 118 Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Al Haight. “It would mean a great deal to our fellow union members who are currently in a battle to restore the integrity of their contracts, health insurance, 8 hour day and pensions.” The Hostess workers — who in September overwhelming rejected a contract that cut wages and benefits by as much as 32% — struck last Friday against the maker of Wonder Bread, Twinkies and other well-known baked treats when Hostess imposed the terms of the rejected contract. Hostess “is making a mockery of the labor relations system that has been in place for nearly 100 years,” said Bakery Workers president Frank Hurt. “Our members are not just striking for themselves, but for all unionized workers across North America who are covered by collective bargaining agreements.” Among other “outrageous” actions by Hostess, the company unilaterally stopped making pension payments in July 2011, pocketed approximately $160 million, and then awarded massive raises to top executives and payments to the hedge fund that owns Hostess brands while demanding severe wage and benefit concessions from workers.