Shoppers react to Market Basket upheaval

SALEM – It was business as usual on Thursday for shoppers at the Demoulas Market Basket on Highland Avenue as threats loomed of an employee-staged walkout.Salem residents Bobby and Richie, who declined to give their last names, said they purposely came shopping Thursday to avoid any disruptions that might be created by the walkout. They also said they would support employees who went on strike by shopping elsewhere in the meantime.?I?m surprised they want to bring back the CEO who was running the place; he?s gotta be someone who is for the employees,” Richie speculated, referring to ousted executive Arthur T. DeMoulas, who is the focus of the employee insurrection, spearheaded by managers who work at the company?s corporate offices in Tewskbury. “We hope they do it, because that shows they are strong. We don?t see that anymore, since unions have been disappearing.”An unscientific sampling of customers shared their opinions about the ongoing turmoil within the company, and while some said employees would be better off taking the “if it ain?t broke don?t fix it” approach, others said they were likely to support Market Basket employees if they did go on strike.?While they are striking, I?ll support the workers, and I won?t shop here,” said Renee Cloud of Lynn.Cloud said she is concerned with where she would grocery shop in the meantime and said she has found it difficult to find quality produce at a fair price at other grocery chain stores.?I don?t know where else I would shop,” Cloud said. “It would be between Shaw?s Supermarket and Stop & Shop, but I don?t care too much for either one. I come to Market Basket for the prices, and the quality of the food is good.”?I am only vaguely aware of the Market Basket situation, but I don?t think that they should have a right to go on strike without a union,” said a shopper named Tracy, who declined to give her last name.Another shopper, who identified himself as Andrew, said, “I think that they should have some form of leadership you know? Union or not, they?re not gonna get a lot done without a leader. I think, as Americans, they should totally have the right to go on strike.” And yet another shopper said of the employees, “They shouldn?t need a union to make their voices heard.”Kristin Bornstein may be reached at [email protected]. Eric Adrien may be reached at [email protected].