‘We Are All Equal,’ Artie T. Tells Market Basket Workers

Photo: Courtesy WCVB, Channel 5.

The returning Market Basket president and CEO, Arthur T. Demoulas, spoke out today and publicly thanked several hundred supporters gathered outside the company’s Tewksbury headquarters.

In getting back to work, Demoulas said they are all people, and working only together, do they succeed.

“We are all equal,” Demoulas said, listing the various full- and part-time positions in the company, including CEO.

For the support he received from workers and customers alike, Arthur T. also said he has believed everyone is born into this world to be together someplace for a reason and a purpose.

“Because of you, I stand here with a renewed vigor and a sense of purpose. May we always remember this past summer—first as a time where our collective values of loyalty, courage and kindness for one another really prevailed. In that process, we just happened to save our company,” Demoulas said.

The $1.5 billion deal brings Arthur T. back in control of Market Basket two months after the board, in majority control by rival relatives, fired him and two other executives before the move sparked rallies, protests and a shopper boycott for the past six weeks.
The group of workers known as “Save Market Basket,” said on Facebook they have emerged from the crisis victorious, and never in the history of people going to work, will so many people be so happy to punch the clock.

“The STAKEHOLDERS have helped to Save Market Basket and in doing so, we have made history…To our customers…words will never be able to express our appreciation of what you have accomplished. You are the lifeblood of who we are and we are eternally thankful to you. Please understand that we will be working around the clock to get every department in every store back up to speed and once we do, we will be better than ever!”

Market Basket stores reportedly could be fully restocked in about four days.