Hostess: Last-Ditch Talks With Union Failed

Hostess Brands lived to die another day. The maker of Twinkies and Ding Dongs said late today that it failed to reach an agreement with its second biggest union. As a result, Hostess plans to continue with a hearing tomorrow in which a bankruptcy court judge will decide whether the company can shutter its operations. Hostess said it would not comment on the breakdown in talks with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union other than to say that mediation "was unsuccessful." Of course, even if Hostess goes down, Twinkies and other popular products will likely find new owners. (More Hostess stories.)