Labor showdown reaches critical deadline

The labor dispute in Massachusetts that seemed so unusual a week ago — the employees walked out in support of a grocery chain CEO who treated them decently — now seems headed down a familiar road to many workers.

The Market Basket grocery chain gave the employees until the end of the day today to return to work or they will be fired.

In response, they protested at the company headquarters today.

The company is holding a job fair this week to replace the workers. Now the success of their effort will depend on how many people are willing to take their jobs? Recent history, as any Northwest Airlines mechanic can attest, doesn’t hold much hope for them.