Advertisement Market Basket board will consider buyout, stands by new CEOs Board issues statement calling on workers to end protests Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Despite a series of protests from thousands of employees over the past week, the board of directors of Market Basket said Friday that it's standing by its new CEOs, for now.WATCH: News 9's report | Raw video from rallyWorkers and customers of Market Basket have been protesting the ouster of CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, who was fired after his cousin, Arthur S. Demoulas, gained control of the board.Click to view live updates | Read statement from boardFollowing its meeting in Boston on Friday, the board released a statement reaffirming its election of Felicia Thornton and James Gooch as CEOs. It also criticized the actions of protesting Market Basket employees.Click to find out which New Hampshire legislators have signed on to support Market Basket employees."The negative behavior of certain current and former associates is at variance with the Company’s culture of putting the needs of the Market Basket customers first," the statement said. "It is now clear that it is in the interests of all members of the Market Basket community for normal business operations to resume immediately."Market Basket: By the numbersThe board said it would consider an offer from Arthur T. Demoulas to buy the remaining 50.5 percent of shares and retake control of the company. The board said it would also consider any other proposals it has received and may yet receive.The meeting was held as about 6,000 employees protested at the company's Tewksbury, Massachusetts, store. The rally was the second held in Tewksbury to protest Arthur T. Demoulas' ouster."Arthur T. has done right by us, and it's our turn to do right by him," said Chris Silvia, who said he has worked at the Nashua Market Basket for five years.Workers said they're fighting for the culture of Market Basket. Arthur T. Demoulas has been credited with keeping prices low and treating employees well."I've been part of the Market Basket family for my entire life," said employee Krystle Champy. "My parents worked for it. My sister works for it. My entire family has been Market Basket."Employees said they hoped the board of directors gets their message."I'm hoping the board sees this crowd here, and actually I hope they say, 'What the hell did we do?' and come to their senses and put Artie back in charge," said Mark Lemiux, manager of the Londonderry Market Basket.State Rep. Robert Cushing, D-Rockingham 21, addressed the crowd, saying that lawmakers are joining with them."I'm here on behalf of over 100 lawmakers in the state of New Hampshire who have signed a petition standing behind the Market Basket associates demanding that Arthur T. be reinstated."A stuffed giraffe was unveiled to symbolize the struggle, with employees saying that sometimes you just have to stick your neck out. Workers said they're proud to stand behind Arthur T. Demoulas and will fight for him, despite the fear of losing their jobs."It's been extremely stressful, but I started off scared, then I started off stressed and now I'm defiant," said Caleb Owens, an employee of 20 years.Workers said they are ready to continue rallying until Arthur T. Demoulas is back in charge, but they hoped this will be the last rally that's necessary.In Boston some board members arrived at the Prudential Center shortly before 9 a.m., and they were greeted by workers and customers who wanted to make their thoughts known.Elenor Corcoran, a customer from Somerville, Massachusetts, brought 100,000 signatures of customers who vowed not to shop at the store unless Arthur T. Demoulas is put back in charge.She said two board members took some of the petitions she brought, but most, Arthur S. Demoulas, didn't give her the time of day."Arthur S. didn't even want to make eye contact with me," she said. "I explained that I am a customer. I am here representing the customers, people who shop at Market Basket, and he just walked away. He just completely walked away."