Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of iconic treats like Twinkies and traditional pantry staples such as Wonder Bread, is liquidating its 82-year-old business, putting more than 18,000 workers out of jobs<\/strong> just before the holidays<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A victim of changing consumer tastes, high commodity costs and, most importantly, strained labor relations, Hostess ultimately was brought to its knees by a national strike orchestrated by its second-largest union.<\/p>\n The work stoppage, launched Nov. 9 by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union in protest of a fresh labor contract, affected about two-thirds of Hostess’s 36 plants. The striking workers–who still numbered in the thousands–were making it impossible for the Irving, Texas, company<\/strong> to continue producing its baked goods, Chief Executive Gregory Rayburn said.<\/p>\n