Market Basket Managers Turn Up Heat On Chain

Managers of Market Basket supermarkets are repeating their threat to quit if ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas is not reinstated.

A petition signed by managers and assistant managers of 68 of the 71 New England stores warns that they will immediately resign if Demoulas is not restored ``with full authority.'' They planned to deliver the petitions to co-CEOs James Gooch and Felicia Thornton.

The board of Market Basket, controlled by his cousin Arthur S. Demoulas, fired Demoulas in June. Employees loyal to Arthur T. have since held protests and refused to make warehouse deliveries to stores.

The board said Tuesday it was continuing to evaluate several offers to buy the supermarket chain among other ``strategic alternatives.''

The board said an offer from Arthur T. Demoulas is one of several options.