I seriously cant manage to keep my mouth shut anymore about this. So this time, I wrote a nice letter to Governor Patrick. Here it is: Dear Governor Patrick, I’m writing to you this evening as a loyal, and concerned employee of Market Basket. Mr. Governor, as a resident of the Commonwealth, I find your comments regarding the Market Basket situation disturbing. I don’t like to tell people how to do their jobs, especially when it comes to running a state. However, this time is different. Sir, there is a battle of power going on in one of the largest companies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This battle has affected the lives of millions of people across New England. Jobs are being cut, and customers are being forced to shop elsewhere. A lot of these customers are low income families, and the elderly who simply cannot afford to pay higher prices for food. Now, these people must worry about how they will feed their families, and themselves. What about the Market Basket employees? Mr. Governor, for most of the associates at Market Basket, this is the only job they have. I, myself, am included in this, sir. This is the only company these hard working Americans feel comfortable working for. This is also the only company that doesn’t discriminate against anyone. For these employees, this is also the only place for them to do their grocery shopping. Many of our associates are immigrants who are looking for their American Dream. They come to this area not knowing anyone, or anything about it. However, these people then realize that they need money to survive. They meet people who tell them about this company that’s always looking for help. Not because people are quitting left and right, but because of the fact they’re so busy. For these people, it’s the start of their American Dream. The same American Dream that the founders of this company were looking for, and found when they came here from Greece. The American Dream for them to have a better life in this country, where anything is possible. The American Dream for them to be able to provide for their families. The American Dream for them to get ahead in life. What about the loyal Market Basket customers? Ask any Market Basket customer about why they keep coming back, and you’ll hear several responses. However, the two most common responses that customers will give you is about our low prices, and our fine customer service. As an associate of Market Basket, my main goal is to make sure the customer is always happy. Out of all of our competitors, we provide the best customer service. When it’s raining, we’re outside with umbrellas escorting our loyal customers to their cars, and then we help them load their groceries into their vehicles. We always greet our customers with a smile, and we always make sure they have found everything they’re looking for. If the customer hasn’t found the item in the store they’re in, we call one of the other Market Basket stores in the area to see if they have that specific item in stock. We then apologize for the inconvenience. No grocery store chain does what we do. You see Mr. Governor, it’s the customers that keep our business running. If there’s no customers, then there’s no work. However, you seem to fail to understand that. You seem to think that the employees have done all this. That’s where you’re wrong, Mr. Governor. Once Arthur T. Demoulas was fired, our customers stopped showing up. They weren’t going to shop at a grocery store chain that was now under new management. We all know what happens when a new management team takes over a company; especially a grocery store chain. Prices always manage to go up. I don’t blame customers for boycotting the company. Without the customers, we’re nothing. The employees had nothing to do with this boycott. I, along with my fellow associates, continued to show up every day we were scheduled to work until the day we were laid off. Governor Patrick, I have news for you; the customers have all said they won’t shop at Market Basket until Arthur T. Demoulas is back as CEO, and owner of the company. That’s something that won’t change while the current management team is still running our company. Mr. Governor, we’re a different breed of people. We stand up for what we believe in. This is one company that’s worth standing up for, and Arthur T. Demoulas is our driving force. Arthur T. Demoulas has always made sure that his loyal customers, and hardworking employees were well taken care of before he was. In 2008 when the economy faltered, our profit-sharing plan took a $46 million hit. However, Arthur T. Demoulas made sure that not one person felt the effects of this. He reassured his employees that everything was going to be alright. It’s that reassurance and his generosity that has made employees stay, and loyal customer coming back. Mr. Arthur T. Demoulas has always said, “We’re in the people business first. The grocery business second.” It’s the people that Arthur T. Demoulas cares about. It’s the communities that Arthur T. Demoulas cares about. He has all the money in the world, but that’s not what makes this man happy. It’s all about putting smiles on the faces of his customers, and his employees. It’s about a sense of community; something you don’t see with CEO’s any more. The thing that I find most humbling about Arthur T. is that he has never forgotten where he came from. He has never forgotten about his roots in the Greek community. Every year, this man donates money and time, to the various activities in the Greek community of the Greater Lowell area. Every time there’s a festival going on at one of the Greek churches, whether it’s in Lowell or Dracut, you can be sure that there’s a Market Basket refrigerated trailer in the parking lot loaded with various drinks and ingredients for the delicious food being made. It’s not just the Greek community that he donates money to, but to various charitable organizations throughout the communities he serves. He donates money, and food to food pantries across the area to keep them going. I could go on and on, but I think you’re beginning to get the picture. Mr. Arthur T. Demoulas is the model CEO. He’s had our backs all these years, and now we’re returning the favor. Governor Patrick, I’m not going to tell you who to side with; it’s not my job. However, as a citizen of this great state, my hope is that I have persuaded you to side with the man that I’ve talked about with such valor. A man that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Sir, it’s also not my job to tell you how to run this state. However, as a citizen of the Commonwealth and this great nation, my job is to make sure my voice is heard. My intent is that you take this letter into consideration when stepping into this fight. Do what’s right for the employees, do what’s right for the customers, but most importantly, do what’s right for the economy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Let’s face it, if this company shuts down, the economy will take a massive hit. Respectfully, Harry T. Scondras
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 04:03:56 +0000
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