Market Basket CEOs say they plan to start filling positions if employees don’t return to work by Monday of next week.
In a statement released this afternoon, the company’s CEOs said employees who have been protesting the firing of former CEO Arthur T. Demoulas can return to work without fear of penalty.
However, they say they understand some employees may choose not to return, and the company will begin advertising for those jobs.
Employees have been picketing outside Market Baskets across New England for several weeks, demanding that Arthur T. Demoulas be reinstated.
The former CEO has made an offer to buy the company, but the Market Basket Board of Directors has not made any announcements about whether to accept it.
The entire statement:
“We want Market Basket associates back to work and reiterate that they can return without fear of penalty. We again acknowledge and understand how difficult this situation has been for associates. However, we also need to have associates working to support stores, customers and vendors. We need associates to return to work on Monday August 4th. We understand that some associates may choose not to return, consequently we will begin advertising for employment opportunities. Our hope and strong preference is to have Market Basket’s incredible associates return to work. Again, any associate that wants to return will be welcomed and not penalized.”