In a little known story of Management/Employee relations, there is something unique happening in Tewksbury, Danvers, Bellingham and other locations throughout Massachusetts and other parts of New England: Non-Union Employeees have walked off their jobs and set up picket lines in support of their CEO who was fired by the company board because he stood up for his workers.
In a report by WCVB in its online edition, Arthur T Demoulas, CEO of Market Basket, was fired by his board, in what can only be described as a real family fight. Artie T, as he is fondly known by his loyal employees, wants better working conditions and benefits for all employees and because he supports his workers, other family members decided he was not loyal to his company. So, he was shown the door.
His employees walked off the job this week as a show of support for Artie T, as he has presented a fair offer to buy the 50.5% of the company he doesn't control. In addition, customers of the store have shown their support for him and have respected the picket lines set up by the employees, by refusing to cross them to shop inside.
As many of you know, I am not a fan of unions. Never have been and never will be. But this is a story where non-union employees and their CEO are united in what can only be understood as an old-fashioned "us against them" standoff.
These employees understand that some in management and ownership understand fairness in the workplace and that it really has nothing to do with class warfare. There are those in management who can recognize injustice when we see it and like Artie T, are willing to stand up for his or her principles, at the risk of losing his own job.
These employees also understand that ownership is not always extremely rich, and instead, wants to put the profits back into the most important asset it has: its employees. This is what Artie T fought for, and for that, he is out.
I talked with some friends of mine who live in Massachusetts and in each case, they have decided they will not cross the lines. They will, however, stop to give water, snacks and good old moral support to these workers who have sacrificed their jobs for the man who sacrificed his for them.
This is what seems to be missing in America today, at least how the LSM reports the news. The LSM has towed the party line of class warfare, the worker against the boss, the poor against the rich.
Well, not today, friends. This is a real George Bailey moment, being played out all across New England, in its small towns by the real people who believe that America is still great because its people are.
It is heartwarming to see and more so to tell. We are only missing Clarence, but only because the story is still being told. Hopefully, if the story plays out as I wish it does, another bell will ring and an Angel WILL get his wings.
And the support Artie T's workers have for him will help Artie T recoup what is his so he can continue to do right by his workers. That will be real justice in this story.
Then, once again, at least in New England, it could be a modern-day It's A Wonderful Life story to be told for the ages.
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