AGs Warn Market Basket About Employment Laws

Attorneys General from both Massachusetts and New Hampshire issued a joint statement to the management team of Market Basket last night that is embroiled in a fight concerning control of the company.

After the management team issued an order for employees to return to work or face dismissal, and published ads promoting upcoming job fairs for both current and new employees, Martha Coakley and Joseph Foster, issued a two-page warning to the company. The letter reminded the company of employment laws in both states, noting that its decisions “directly impact thousands of employees and thousands of customers” in both states and have “serious implications for the many small businesses that supply your stores.” Both wrote that their offices had received “an uptick of calls” from the chain’s employees about their employment rights.

The letter outlined post-termination payment requirements for both states and warned that if Market Basket’s corporate office violated the law, there would be criminal and civil penalties issued in both states.

“Whatever decisions you make in the coming days, needless to say, our offices expect and will require compliance with our respective laws,” the letter stated.

GoFundMe effort raises $18K+

The customer group that launched a GoFundMe.com effort to raise $3,000 for a full-page ad in The Lowell Sun this weekend raised six times the amount of money it hoped to raise in less than 24-hours (a screenshot of the ad is attached to this post).

The Save Artie T & Market Basket Facebook group, one of a number of groups that have spouted up in support of employees and attempting to influence the company to re-hire Arthur T. Demoulas back to his CEO post, was stunned by the support it had received and will be using the money to launch more advertising and more pressure on the family members who own a little more than 50 percent of the business.

In a statement, the group said that while Arthur S. Demoulas had received the brunt of the blame, it was the other family members too who shared in stalemate, “lack of a deal and the continuing of the crisis” that is “drawing this story on and preventing 25,000 associates and 2 million customers from returning to the company they love. The company they built. The company that enriched these shareholders.”

The customer group is planning more rallies in the future and encouraging more people to get involved in the effort.

Shea-Porter issues support for workers

A number of politicians in both states have issued support to the workers of the supermarket chain and now, a Congresswoman has issued support, too.

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-NH, issued a letter to the board of directors on July 31, calling for a resolution to the stand off that “supports the Market Basket workforce.” She noted that there were 15 stores in her Congressional District.

“Market Basket has been part of our New Hampshire landscape for so long, and Granite Staters have had very positive feelings about their local stores,” she stated. “The quality and the prices have certainly been part of the reason for its success, but ask any shopper and he or she will tell you it’s because of the wonderful, loyal workforce. Ask the workforce, and they will tell you it was because of the management. Please work to fix the current problems and restore the relationship workers have had with the company. They are a true asset and deserve recognition and support. I hope they will not be fired simply for standing up and supporting a business and management they all have loyally served.”