News Updates

Safety Study for all Commercial Drivers

Give your thoughts on distracted driving and enter to win an iPAD.

Johns Hopkins University is recruiting IBT members who are commercial drivers for a study on distracted driving. By taking this quick, 10-minute online survey, you can enter a drawing for a free iPad 3. All answers are confidential. You must be over the age of 18 and be able to read English to participate.

The survey is accessible via www.surveymonkey.com/s/HopkinsDrivingSurvey and is open to IBT members who are full-time drivers in your IBT industry.

We can only take the first 500 drivers who take the survey, so don’t wait!

If you have questions, please contact the study staff at JohnsHopkinsDriving@gmail.com.

Labor Dept. Certifies Former Hostess Workers as Eligible to Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance

The US Department of Labor has announced that approximately 18,000 workers laid off in 48 states from 864 Hostess company locations are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

Hostess Liquidation Update, February 1, 2013

The Hostess’ liquidation process is proceeding – the Company has now announced “stalking horse” or lead bidders for the vast majority of the brands and related assets and asked for court approval of the bidding process and the naming of a stalking horse.

New Benefit: TurboTax Discount For Teamsters

Teamster households now have access to a leading brand of tax preparation software, TurboTax,at a discount.

Huffington Post: Hostess To Sell Wonder Bread, Other Bread Business To Flower Foods For $390 Million

Hostess has found a new home for its most popular breads, including the iconic Wonder bread.

Community Helps Former Hostess Employees

Teamsters Local 455 hosted a holiday open house and benefit Saturday for 114 families that were laid off after Hostess shut down in November.

Hostess Member Update, November 30, 2012

At a hearing on Thursday, November 29, the bankruptcy judge gave final approval to a series of motions (that in most cases had been approved on an interim basis last week) in relation to the ‘wind down’ of Hostess Brands Inc.’s operations.

Hostess Member Update, November 27, 2012

At an emergency hearing on Wednesday, November 21st, the bankruptcy judge approved a series of motions (in most cases on an interim basis until the final hearing scheduled for November 29th) in relation to the ‘wind down’ of Hostess Brands Inc.’s operations.

Teamsters' Statement on Ruling in Favor of Liquidation of Hostess Brands

Official Statement of Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall
Press Contact
Galen Munroe
202-624-6911
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall made the following statement regarding Judge Drain’s ruling in favor of the company’s motion to liquidate Hostess Brands Inc.

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall made the following statement regarding Judge Drain’s ruling in favor of the company’s motion to liquidate Hostess Brands Inc.:

“With Judge Drain’s ruling today, more than 18,500 workers will be left without a job as Hostess proceeds with the liquidation of the company. We estimate the liquidation process will occur over the next six months as the company sells off assets.

“For our 6,700 Teamster Hostess members, our union will be focusing its efforts on ensuring that they receive what they are owed in the form of wages for hours worked and accrued benefits. We will also make sure our members understand their options and assist them in filing for unemployment benefits and connecting them with local labor councils and agencies that offer other out-of-work assistance.

“This is truly a sad day for thousands of families affected by the closing of this company. I want to assure our members that despite this outcome, they do not stand alone and their union will continue to work on their behalf to help them find new employment.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Teamsters' Statement on Failed Mediation Between Hostess and Bakers Union

Official Statement of Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall
Press Contact
Galen Munroe
202-624-6911
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall made the following statement regarding the announcement that Hostess Brands Inc. and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union failed to reach an agreement during mediation.

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall made the following statement regarding the announcement that Hostess Brands Inc. and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union failed to reach an agreement during mediation:

“Unfortunately, the last minute mediation efforts by Judge Drain were not successful. The case will proceed tomorrow at 11 a.m. with the judge hearing Hostess Brands motion to ‘wind down’ the company. Judge Drain may rule from the bench tomorrow on the motion.

“As we said on Friday when the company announced it was closing, this is a tragic outcome and our thoughts and prayers go out to all Teamster Hostess members and all Hostess employees.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit http://www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.