Market Basket’s Board of Directors has placed CEO Arthur T. Demoulas on paid administrative leave amid claims that he was in the process of orchestrating a companywide work stoppage, 12 News has learned.

The board’s executive committee accused Demoulas Wednesday afternoon of “improper retaliation” against them for requesting “the most basic corporate oversight” and access to key employees.

“At a time of great economic uncertainty for many households, such work stoppages would significantly harm and broadly disrupt Market Basket’s stores and operations across New England, as well as its valued customers, associates and vendors,” the executive committee explained in a memo.

See more at wpri.com.