The union representing Hostess Brands workers has insisted the US bakery group is “falsely claiming” the closure of three bakeries was the result of strike action.
Hostess has been trying to force through cuts to pay and conditions and has repeatedly warned widespread strike action would result in the liquidation of the company. The Wonder Bread maker announced earlier this week it will close facilities in Seattle, St Louis and Cincinnati where workers elected to strike. The closures will lead to 672 jobs being cut.
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However, according to the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, Hostess was planning to close “at least nine bakeries” in its bid to exit bankruptcy. The union insisted the closures were not a consequence of the strike action and suggested the company is attempting to intimidate its remaining workforce.
BCTGM International Union president Frank Hurt stated: “The recent claim by Hostess CEO Greg Rayburn that our strike is the reason for the closure of the three bakeries is simply not true. That statement is a continuation of a disturbing pattern by the company of issuing public statements that are erroneous at best and disingenuous at worst.”
