A union representative for many who worked at the plant in Biddeford calls the bonuses atrocious. But in a 65-page motion filed with courts, Hostess says without them the employees they need to shut down may leave, meaning they'd spend more money replacing them and delay the entire liquidation process.
A Hostess spokesman says that process could take up to a year, so the money is needed to keep the top executives on board throughout. A U.S. bankruptcy court approved what could total $1.8 million dollars in bonuses.
After a crippling two-week strike by the company's second largest bakers union, the closure is putting 18,000 people across the country out of work, including 370 people in Biddeford.
A union rep for local workers says this is a slap in the face, especially he says, since the company has taken worker's hard earned vacation pay out of their bank accounts.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree also harsh words for the company today. In a statement Pingree said quote, "The idea that they have to be paid extra just to stay on the job while 500 people in Maine and 18,000 people around the country don't even have a regular paycheck because of poor management is outrageous."
A union representative tells News 13, many are still hopeful a buyer will come in and get the plant up and running again. Hostess says it has received 110 inquiries from parties interested in buying the brands.
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