TEWKSBURY, MA - If Arthur S. Demoulas had hoped that July would bring some relief from the constant controversy that has surrounded his company's business since the firing of his cousin Arthur T. Demoulas, former CEO and President of Market Basket, this week's events surely squashed it. 75 Market Basket corporate employees met at the company's headquarters last Tuesday to speak with new COO Felicia Thornton and CAO James Gooch. Led by Market Basket's Supervisor of Operations Joe Schmidt, they informed them that they would be demanding the reinstatement of Arthur T. Demoulas, and would be breaking off communication with senior management until this was done.

"There have been questions in the last two weeks regarding costs, benefits to employees and obviously the loss of senior management," Schmidt said. "In the best interest of customers, a mandate was provided to the board to reinstate Arthur T. Demoulas as CEO."

He went on to say that "it's evident the current direction of the company has caused great concern among customers and employees. The co-CEOs have been told employees at our corporate office will no longer be in communication with them until Arthur T. Demoulas is reinstated."

Their message is one which resonates with many other Market Basket employees who fear for their future without the leadership of the much loved former CEO.

"This company has been successful because of the philosophies of Arthur T. Demoulas," said Joe Amaral, North Andover Market Basket Store Director. "We've grown because of him and we'd like it to remain that way. The majority of employees and management feel that way."

According to the Eagle-Tribune, so far neither the Board of Directors nor Thornton and Gooch have responded to the protestors' mandate. Schmidt says he expects he hear back soon however.

To read more about the ouster of Arthur T. Demoulas, check out our previous article on the leadership change here.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for any further updates on this developing story. 

Market Basket