Dozens of Butternut Bread Co. workers locked out after supporting picket line

CINCINNATI - Dozens of factory workers at the Butternut Bakery Company in Queensgate were locked out of the building Monday morning amid Hostess protests.

This is two weeks after the maker of Twinkies, Wonder Bread and Ding Dongs announced an 8 percent cut in wages. Three factory workers from a Northwood, Ohio, Hostess factory showed up at the Cincinnati factory to picket. Workers who decided to cross the picket line and continue work were denied access into the building.

Butternut is listed on the Hostess website as one of the brand's "regional favorites."

Butternut Bakery representatives have not released information about the lock out.

Thousands of Hostess Brand workers at more than 20 plants across the country walked off the job or refused to cross picket lines in protest of benefit cuts.

Workers are protesting an 8 percent cut in pay as well as cut to pension plans and hours.

According to the Local 57 Union Chief James Yett, the factory employs about 90 workers who assist in making bread and buns.

Hostess, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, operates 36 plants in the US and employs more than 18,000 workers. About 6,000 of those belong to the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union.