Many South Florida workers are well aware of just how much is at stake when you enter into an employment contract. For the employee, your own personal well-being may hinge on a successful employment relationship, and for the employer, the company’s long-term obligations and success are on the line.
Hostess Brands, which has several bakeries in Florida, is remaining open for business while it is undergoing proceedings for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Apparently, the company is also proposing new contracts for its workers, and the Teamsters Union, which represents just less than 40 percent of the company’s 19,000 employees, has said that it will strike if the company imposes the contract. The Teamsters say the contract is unfair and includes wage cuts.
Hostess–maker of Twinkies, Ho Hos and Wonderbread–has about 36 bakeries. Teamster members have reportedly said they will take steps to salvage the company, but that the contract goes too far. A hearing will be held regarding the contract next month.
According to a news report, workers have made sacrifices two other times on the company’s behalf, but the company did not improve after these.
The director of the Teamsters Bakery and Laundry Conference said in a statement published on ABC.com: “While we remain committed to finding a solution to save the company, it won’t be done solely on the backs of our members and Hostess employees.”
While these employees have the backing of a union to aid them in contract negotiations, many other employees in Florida do not have this support when entering into an employment contract. Often, individual employees and employers choose to work with employment law attorneys to negotiate contract and non-compete agreements. Employees especially are often wise to have a legal professional review any employment contracts before they sign them.
Source: ABC, “No More Twinkies? Hostess Workers Threaten Strike,” Susanna Kim, Feb. 14, 2012