Market Basket Fires Longtime Executives Amid Feud with Suspended CEO

In the latest development in the ongoing power struggle at Market Basket, the grocery chain has fired two of its longtime executives, Joseph Schmidt and Tom Gordon. According to the Market Basket Board of Directors, Schmidt and Gordon were terminated for making false and derogatory remarks about the company and its associates, as well as engaging in inappropriate communications with colleagues.

The firings come just months after Market Basket placed CEO Arthur T. Demoulas on paid leave, amid allegations that he was considering leading a work stoppage that could disrupt the company's operations across its 90 New England locations and 30,000 employees. Both Schmidt and Gordon were previously suspended with pay in late May for allegedly encouraging these work disruptions.

In a statement, the suspended CEO Demoulas condemned the decision to fire Schmidt and Gordon, describing them as "men of integrity and honor" who "belong on the Market Basket team." He vowed to use all efforts to reverse what he called a "heartless and unwarranted decision" by the board.

The escalating feud between the Market Basket board and Demoulas, who was previously ousted in a similar boardroom battle a decade ago, underscores the deep divisions within the company. As the power struggle continues, the fate of the two fired executives and the future direction of Market Basket remain uncertain.