Feltes: I Support the Boycott of Market Basket

By Dan Feltes

I support the boycott of Market Basket. Like many, I have been inspired by the solidarity of Market Basket customers and Market Basket workers, many of the latter are living paycheck-to-paycheck but still standing strong in what they believe in; a better future for themselves, their kids, and our state. They do backbreaking work to feed their families (and our families, too).

Make no mistake: This is a unique moment in the history of our state and our country – a time when about 25,000 hard-working employees have stood up to their corporate board to fight for a better and stronger future.

Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines.

This dispute is of great public importance as the financial wellness of thousands of New Hampshire workers and their families are on the line, the health of New Hampshire’s unemployment insurance trust fund is on the line, and a significant portion of our local economy is on the line.

There are three (3) Market Baskets in the Senate District I seek to represent, two (2) in Concord and one (1) in Warner. The Storrs street store in Concord is the only store many of our citizens without cars can really access in order to get essential food. The decisions that the Demoulas shareholders and board make over the next few days will have dramatic consequences on Senate District 15 and our State.

I strongly urge the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, as well as the departments of Labor and Employment Security, among others, to prioritize the people-power and resources necessary to closely monitor this developing situation, and to be prepared to take swift and appropriate action, including applicable legal action, where necessary. As a candidate for NH Senate, I urge the Demoulas shareholders and board to bring this dispute to an end and I applaud Arthur T. Demoulas for his willingness to return to put the company back on its feet.

Dan Feltes is a Democrat running for the District 15 State Senate seat, representing Concord, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Warner.