Photo by Nathan E. Webster III
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini today is calling upon all parties in the Market Basket supermarket leadership dispute to come together and end what he calls “a growing tragedy.”
“This is no longer just a family feud. It is affecting familes who work there, and families who rely upon Market Basket for their groceries,” Fiorentini said in a statement. On the heels of a resolution passed Tuesday night by a majority of the Haverhill City Council, Fiorentini is calling upon present company executives to get together with protesting workers and bring back fired employees including ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas. He says discussion and compromise on all sides is needed now.
Fiorentini and First Essex State Senate Democratic hopeful Jessica Finocchiaro also added their names to a petition started by Andover Sen. Barry Finegold, a candidate for state treasurer.
Mayor Fiorentini says he will meet with MVRTA officials Wednesday to see if there is adequate bus service to where there are other supermarkets, and he will also meet with seniors at the citizen’s center to gauge their abilities to get their needed groceries.
Fiorentini also said for the past several years, he has reached out to other supermarket chains to come in to Haverhill. “Unfortunately, I have not been succesful. Market Basket has been so succcesful with their low price strategy that it is very difficult to get another chain here to compete with them.”
Other grocery outlets in Haverhill include Target off Route 97, local convenience stores and several Family Dollar stores within the city.
Tierney Joins Market Basket Debate
SALEM, Mass.--Today, Congressman John Tierney issued the following statement on the on-going issue at Market Basket:
“I stand with Market Basket employees and urge the new management to listen to their concerns, treat them fairly, and respect their voices. I believe it is in the company, customer and community’s best interest for these employees – some of whom have worked at Market Basket for decades – to be able to articulate their views without having to fear losing their jobs or earned benefits.”