It's July 26th. Now What?
MB's Board met 7/25/14 and chose a middle way, leaving options open. What's best for the Staff to do now?
The BoD might have decided to reject Arthur T's offer, saying they would never sell him their Company. But they announced that it would be considered along with any others received, and I see that as very good news. It's a close fit to what I suggested here as #4 on July 23rd. You have done remarkably well!
Even if Arthur T were outbid by another buyer, that buyer would be well advised to contract with him as CEO of the MB Division, for the next several years. The effect would be very close to what you want.
So, what to do next? I've thought this over and changed my mind a couple of times, but here are my two cents.
I suggest ignoring the neo-Marxist rhetoric of a few of your leaders, and return to normal work. The BoD has said it will consider selling, even to Arthur T, so pay them the compliment of accepting their word. They do own the Company. There is no need to imply they are lying, by continuing the confrontation. In particular, to threaten to stay out until he is restored is not only expensive to all concerned, it's empty. They can outlast you, if they want - and are provoked enough. And every week you cripple MB, it loses about $70 million by my count; and some of that is yours, for you are profit sharing Associates, not just wage earners.
They are already re-staffing the warehouse at Andover with "temps." The longer you drag this out, the more able they will be to convert them to permanent status and fire everyone who struck.
Meanwhile, the process of choosing a buyer will continue, and I'd say Arthur T is very well placed to win the bidding. Outside advisors have been retained, and they will see that clearly. So just as prolonging this will bring extra damage on the one hand, it will bring no compensating benefit on the other. Your message is already clear: you want him back. Play this reasonably, and you'll get him back. When the ownership changes.
If I'm wrong and the BoD's promise to consider offers was false, and they do not sell MB in the next few months, it means they are willing to downgrade the Company by dispensing permanently with Arthur T's help. You cannot stop them doing that, if they are so foolish. That will be your signal to find a job elsewhere.
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