Tonight I’m really angry… “when elephants fight, ants die”, “this is scorched earth”. “there is no way employees can win this”, “this is a losing battle”, “CEO’s in companies change all the time, get used to it and do your job”. I TELL YOU WHAT! If you want to be in the news and throw your two sense in…if you want to offer an opinion on what you can’t possibly fathom, if YOU think you are an expert in labor, business, law, public relations or whatever you feel you are, and you feel the need to be on TV or in the press and have negative things to say…wake up! You do not have a clue as to who we are or what we represent. Artie T. maybe our rallying figure but it could just as well be his son T.A. with any other DeMoulas’ family members that understand this machine and the family called Market Basket! Do your research before you talk of what you do not know. Here is a clue to the clueless…when people talk of family and culture…take a moment and listen. Don’t just listen though, stop talking…hear their words. Close your eyes and attempt to understand. Here is a quick story about our culture many can relate to. I hire numerous 14 year olds every year as do my fellow Store Directors. It is both sad and joyous to see your child grow up and join the work force. It is also scary dropping your 14, 15 year old off at work for the first time. We are entrusted with that! Every year I have mothers and fathers, and yes I mean EVERY year, approach me and hug me. They tell me that their son or daughter has just graduated from high school or college. They thank me for allowing their children to be part of Market Basket. The work ethic, the uniforms, the sense of urgency, pride, accomplishment, the structure, and the list goes on. The mentoring we do because WE care and we want these kids to succeed. The lifelong skills we teach these kids that apply to any career path they so choose. Those conversations are the most humbling… and the best part of my job. Want to know something about me…I barely graduated from high school. Market Basket and the many, many, and I repeat, many dents in my head made me who I am today. I am not alone… and I will be honest, I do not always agree with by bosses. Fact is…usually I disagree. I’m the guy that always tries to find a better way to accomplish a task. I’m proud of the dents in my head. But the fact is, I respect, and yes admire my many bosses. They have walked the walk. They started where I started. They started as I did at 14, 15 years old, and that is our culture. Look up that word, dictionaries still exist. My crew is exhausted, my family while supportive is exhausted. I know that I am not alone and to those that read this…know that you are not alone. For me it’s simply this, the more lies or twisted stories I hear, the madder I get. The more I hear people playing devil’s advocate and not choosing a side the angrier I get. The longer this lasts the more steadfast my resolve. To the associates that have sacrificed, this will not be in vain. To those holding the warehouse line…the pickers, the truckers, operations personnel, someday hopefully you will understand the respect we all have for you. At this point it’s easy, there is no more middle ground. You are either with us, or against us. It’s time to step up if you haven’t. If you are one of those so called experts on the outside looking in and want to comment to the media, you damn well better learn about us and what we represent before you open your mouth. You had better look up in the dictionary the words culture and family first. WE walk the walk…and as you witnessed today our moral is high…and we are just getting started… Mike LeClair Store Director Tilton 59
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:20:17 +0000
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