Hostess looks to cut hundreds of jobs

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH/AP) — The maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread has informed the state that 187 of its Connecticut workers may be laid off in the coming weeks.

Hostess Brands filed for bankruptcy protection in January and has been working on a reorganization plan that involves layoffs and plant closings across the nation.

"On May 4th, we mailed conditional WARN notices to all 18,500 Hostess Brands employees around the country. The notices were sent to alert employees that a sale or wind down of the company is possible in the future. However, our goal is still to emerge from bankruptcy as a growing company with a strong future. We are simply fulfilling our requirements by sending these notices," said Hostess spokesman Erik Halvorson.

The company has notified the state Department of Labor that the layoffs here could come at facilities in Bridgeport, East Windsor, Norwich, Uncasville and Cheshire.

More than 40 job cuts would happen in Cheshire alone.

The company's filing came nearly three years after its predecessor emerged from bankruptcy proceedings. That company, called Interstate Bakeries filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004 and changed its name to Hostess Brands after it emerged in 2009.

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