I agree with your larger point, but in the specific case of Hostess, I'd say the proper number of workers would be the most the business could bear until the ex

I agree with your larger point, but in the specific case of Hostess, I'd say the proper number of workers would be the most the business could bear until the existing labor contract expired. In other words, do your good faith best to uphold your end of that contract (by employing as many workers as possible) until the contract ran out. Then you go to automation and severe reductions in workforce. EDIT: And everything I said is taking the argument that Hostess negotiated in bad faith at face value. I'm not even sure of that, and am willing to accept that the current state of affairs arose in an untainted way.