Market Basket

We drove past the Market Basket warehouse/headquarters in Tewksbury this morning at about 6:30. There were employees picketing at three different spots on both sides of the street. There were police officers at the truck entrance and it looked like only Ryder trucks were getting in.

I am amazed at the awesomeness of this whole movement.

First, as a former union guy it’s nice to see the workers standing up for themselves. This case is very different though. They aren’t asking for more money. When was the last time you saw anything like this that wasn’t related to money? That alone is kind of heartwarming. Also, this isn’t just the workers, it’s the management too. That is amazing, but even more it’s the customers. It’s not a strike. Staff are still showing up to work. The stores are empty though, as the customers are staying away in droves.

The sad thing is, I don’t see that this will amount to anything. I think the best they can hope for is that the company gets sold. Maybe Artie T will be given his job back (or something similar) after a sale happens. Can the workforce really hope for more than that? The board is not going to just put him back in place, are they? How could they? I also read about all of the store management staff threatening to quit and I can’t help but think that few if any of them are going to be able to get new jobs.

What I hope comes out of this is that Artie T becomes a role model for CEOs. This is a guy who stood by his employees when they needed him. He treated is people like human beings and showed them the respect that they deserved. Now that the tables have turned, those people are returning the favor and standing by him. In our ridiculous little greed-fest of a society, that is flat out stunning.

I just hope it all works out without a shit load of people losing their jobs. Fingers crossed.