Twinkie maker getting filling squeezed by labor

Twinkie maker getting filling squeezed by labor Interstate Bakeries Corp., the embattled maker of Twinkies, Wonder Bread and Hostess snack cakes, was dealt another blow Wednesday after a second union backed out of labor talks with the Kansas City-based firm.
   Less than a week after Interstate's largest union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, walked away from the negotiating table and threatened a Southern California strike, officials of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union broke off negotiations with the baker Wednesday over wage concessions.
   The two unions, which represent about 20,000 of the firm's 25,000-strong workforce, had agreed to some wage and benefit cuts to help Interstate pull out of its nearly three-year sojourn in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, both unions said that Interstate is going too far in its demands.
   “We were willing to do our part, but the company just wanted too much,” Frank Hurt, bakery workers union president, told the Associated Press.
   Hurt said that talks had gone well, but the distance between the union and Interstate was too huge. He said the union would only return to the bargaining table if it felt that real progress could be made.
   The union is asking for a financial stake in Interstate in return for cuts in wages and benefits.
   Two weeks ago, Interstate announced that it would eliminate the Wonder Bread brand from Southern California shelves, close four Southern California production facilities and layoff nearly 1,300 local workers.