Market Basket Workers Can Seek Unemployment Benefits
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – Market Basket workers whose hours have been cut to zero can seek unemployment benefits.
"We determine whether they are eligible, based on the facts of the case - whether they were fired, whether they quit, the circumstances if they didn't get any hours. Those are all done on an individual basis," Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance spokesman Ann Dufresne told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Friday.
The workers are continuing their revolt against the company demanding ousted CEO Arthur T. Demoulas be returned.
On Thursday, Market Basket ordered hours cut to zero for all of it's part-time workers.
To seek benefits, Massachusetts workers can call 617-686-6800, or visit Mass.gov.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley opened a hotline for Market Basket employees Thursday after her office received more than 100 calls in 24 hours.
Under state law, any worker whose employment is ended must be paid all wages that are due on the final day of employment. Those wages include compensation for hours worked, tips, earned vacation pay, holiday pay and commissions.
State law also protects workers from being penalized by an employer for seeking to enforce their rights under the wage and hour laws.
New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster said his office has also been fielding calls from Market Basket workers saying they've been laid off and asking about unemployment benefits.
Foster said that unlike Massachusetts, his office doesn't handle employment issues, but that workers with questions about unemployment benefits should contact New Hampshire Employment Security.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports
Market Basket Workers Can Seek Unemployment Benefits
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