AGs warn suits: MB firings better be to letter of law

The deli case is one of many departments that have been all but emptied as the corporate walkout enters its 15th day. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp)

Amid threats of mass firings at beleaguered Market Basket stores throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the states’ Attorney Generals sent a warning to corporate headquarters in Tewksbury, Mass., on Thursday putting the company on notice that improper or illegal firings will not be tolerated by either state.

The letter, cosigned by New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster and his Bay State counterpart, Martha Coakley, says their respective offices have “received an uptick of calls from Market Basket’s employees, many of whom are concerned about their rights under the law.”

New Market Basket co-CEOs James Gooch and Felicia Thornton have been warning employees that if they do not return to work, they will be replaced and are holding job fairs this week to fill empty positions.

As the walkout enters its 15^th day, the test of wills between forces loyal to ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas and those aligned with arch nemesis Arthur S. Demoulas appears far from abating.

The chain continues to hemorrhage millions of dollars daily as the vast majority of customers continue to stay away from the store, including in Rochester, where grocery receipts from other supermarkets can be seen taped on the store’s glass doors.

The letter from Foster and Coakley reminds corporate personnel that all wages due must be paid at the time of termination, including, “any bonuses, earned sick time, holiday or vacation pay and benefit plan contributions due under any written or oral agreement.”

Meanwhile, The Lowell Sun is reporting today that two Massachusetts man have sued the company over work rules that forced them to stay instore while doing overnight shiftwork cleaning stores.

The two Leominster men say they had to take an hourlong break during their shift but were not allowed to leave the store and were locked in the store throughout the night.

They are seeking back pay, interest and attorneys fees.

The men say their shift ran from 8 p.m. till 7 a.m. and the doors of the store were locked upon their entry and not opened until their shift was over.

In Rochester, store employees stayed strong saying they would walk before working for anyone but their beloved Artie T.

Still some have privately said they can’t afford to walk away from the job and would most likely work for a new owner, at least until they could find new employment.