Union Represents More Than 9,000 Employees of IBC
December 13, 2007
(Washington, D.C.) – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and The
Yucaipa Companies, LLC announced today that they have submitted a preliminary
proposal for the reorganization of Interstate Bakeries Corporation (IBC).
The proposal represents a collaborative effort by Yucaipa and the Teamsters
to identify a viable path for IBC to emerge from bankruptcy with the greatest
likelihood of success and maximizes the value of IBC's estate for creditors.
Under the proposal, Yucaipa and the Teamsters will jointly and exclusively
sponsor a plan of reorganization that provides for the payment in full of claims
held by IBC's senior secured lenders and values the business at an enterprise
valuation of $580 million.
"We are pleased that with Yucaipa's unwavering support we have reached this
important milestone in IBC's Chapter 11 case", said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General
President. "After more than three years in bankruptcy, IBC is now poised to
emerge from Chapter 11 as a stronger and healthier company."
"Although sacrifices will be required from all employees of IBC to confirm
our plan of reorganization, we believe this plan will preserve the greatest
number of jobs for our members," said Rich Volpe, IBT Teamsters Director of the
Bakery and Laundry Conference.
"We are excited by the opportunity to revitalize a company like Interstate
Bakeries that has provided good union jobs for so many years to working
Americans," said Ron Burkle, managing partner of Yucaipa. "Our involvement in
Interstate Bakeries reflects this philosophy."
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million
hardworking men and women in the United States Puerto Rico and Canada.