BOSTON — Massachusetts and New Hampshire officials are telling the Market Basket supermarket chain they'll be looking out for the legal rights of any workers fired in a protest over the family-owned company's leadership.
Attorneys General Martha Coakley and Joseph Foster also urged the company Thursday to consider its impact on other businesses in the region, where it employs about 25,000 and has 71 stores.
Co-CEOs Felicia Thornton and Jim Gooch said they "hope sincerely" not to fire anyone and they'll follow the law. They said Wednesday workers off the job demanding the return of fired CEO Arthur T. Demoulas must return by Monday.
Demoulas' supporters have held protest rallies and shut down deliveries to stores.
The company's board is evaluating buyout offers, including one from Demoulas. He was fired by the board which is controlled by his cousin.
