Artie T has been visiting stores without announcement, but today the media was there

[graywarrior]

(snip)

CHELSEA, Mass. —What was intended to be a low-key visit turned into a massive celebration Monday when returning Market Basket CEO Arthur T. Demoulas stopped in at a store in Chelsea.





http://www.wcvb.com/news/demoulas-market-basket-to-open-several-new-stores/27824806#!bN3A6Y



If you have fb, you can view some of his visit here:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=941964532485669&set=o.1407372829485307&type=2&theater


WCVB newscast
http://www.wcvb.com/news/artie-t-says-new-market-basket-store-to-open-by-years-end/27827134#!bN60m9

[Cha]

1. "They created history. I mean, on Labor Day -- are you kidding me?"!!

"This is a huge labor issue that was won despite what people said," customer Carol Levesque said. "The power of the people -- the shoppers and workers and that's a tribute to who (Demoulas) is."

Aloha & Happy Labor Day gray and MarketBasketeers!

[MADem]

2. They were playing it on channel five! nt

[graywarrior]

4. Here is WCVB's report!

http://www.wcvb.com/news/artie-t-says-new-market-basket-store-to-open-by-years-end/27827134#!bN60m9

[ReRe]

3. K&R

That man has found the secret. Get your employees and the communities behind you and NOTHING can stop you. I bet in 10 years, there will be Market Baskets all over this country.

[n2doc]

5. I would love to shop there n/t

[Enthusiast]

7. "I bet in 10 years, there will be Market Baskets all over this country."

I hope you are right, ReRe.

[raven mad]

19. Goddess, I hope so!

For years, there was a small market called Market Basket (not part of this chain) up here; this was back in the 60's and 70's - and it was well-run, and well-stocked (unusual). The employees were happy, which made the customers happy.

From the descriptions I've read of Artie T., his vision for his employees and the stores, the fact that he is so backed by employees and customers? I'd pay more per item just to have that up here!

[catbyte]

6. He must feel like George Bailey. Bravo to everyone involved!

[Enthusiast]

8. Kicked and recommended!

Thank you, graywarrior.

[malaise]

9. Easily the best labor and community story this year

despite M$Greedia's unwillingness to cover it nationally.

[graywarrior]

10. That's ok, social media has been doing a good job spreading it

Pfft, who needs the media....lol

[cantbeserious]

11. Bravo To All That Made This Happen

eom

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. It's hard to describe the feeling,

knowing that Artie T is back and Market Basket is back up and running.

"Wonderful" doesn't begin to describe it.

He could be elected King of Massachusetts (or whatever) today.

[madokie]

14. He is King

wouldn't you think

[madokie]

13. This very well could be the turning point

I've not read a better story of how we the people can make change happen. Arthur T. Demoulas is a super guy and it comes through in the way he says what he says.
We have no Market Baskets here in Oklahoma, that I know of. If we did I'd drive miles and miles to shop at his stores. I'd change my shopping habit of shopping weekly to whatever it would take to make it all work.

You all are very fortunate in having a man of this caliber walking amongst you all. I truly believe we the people are on the way to returning our country to the days of Of the People, For the People.

[graywarrior]

16. He has a very caring and positive energy when you see him

You can tell he loves people more than anything.

[madokie]

18. And people love him

It is so obvious that this man is indeed someone special.

[ljm2002]

15. Near the end of the strike...

...when the Board had not yet agreed to the buyout by Arthur Demoulas, NPR did a report on the situation.

It sucked.

They did not talk about how well he treated his workers. The only customer they interviewed was one who said "Geez don't the striking workers realize they're hurting their customers?" No mention of the customer boycott at all -- they implied that customers who pasted their receipts to the doors were doing so to complain about the strike.

It was presented as a "family feud" kind of thing, never got into any depth at all on the issues, and managed to slant it against the workers while ignoring the huge groundswell of support from customers -- all wrapped into one, insipid, misleading report. I'll bet they're real, real proud of that segment.

Well anyway: this is GREAT GREAT GREAT news, and I can't thing of a better Labor Day story!! May the Market Basket serve as a model for other companies to emulate going forward.

BIG K&R!

[graywarrior]

17. !

Thanks!

[Tracer]

20. Now what?

If I recall correctly, Market Basket stores were debt-free.

Not anymore ---- since Artie T. re-purchased the stores. They now have to service a billion dollar debt.

With that in mind, can he keep the same level of salaries and bonuses ---- nevermind his expansion plans?

[graywarrior]

21. He's delaying closing 3 of the 5 new stores planned

I just got back from a store and the cashier told me she's exhausted because her register has had a steady stream of shoppers for 4 straight hours...and this is one of the smaller stores.

Customers have been talking about purchasing Market Basket products over Brand Name products to help increase profits. MB products are superior, so that won't be a problem. The stores are also hiring more workers so we believe Artie has a plan to make sure people get back pay from the walk out, plus bonuses without raising prices.

[adirondacker]

22. There is a great article that was published yesterday on Common Dreams...

Non-Union Market Basket Workers Bring a Complicated Victory for Labor
by
Kate Aronoff

<SNIP>

"There’s much more at work here than simple company town-style paternalism. Labor scholar Christopher Mackin likened the victory to the American Revolution: “This is unheard-of in corporate America. It’s like 1776 — we get to pick who governs us.” Whatever the complications, company-wide solidarity and coordination among managers, workers and customers is virtually unprecedented in recent history, and a prime case study for those looking to build working class power. The situation is complex, to say the least, but an exciting win for labor militancy."

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/09/01/non-union-market-basket-workers-bring-complicated-victory-labor

Well Done!