TEWKSBURY, MA— Ousted Market Basket CEOArthur T. Demoulas addressed hundreds of employeesof embattled New England grocery at its company headquarters hereon Thursday just hours after he and his family agreed to a deal tobuy out rival shareholders, including his cousin Arthur S.Demoulas.

The deal struck late Wednesday evening that had Arthur T. andhis family buying shares of the company they had not already ownedis valued at more than $1.5 billion, according to Boston.com.Market Basket employs approximately 25,000 workers and has aportfolio of 71 stores.

Arthur T.'s ouster six weeks ago sparked protests from employeeswho demanded his return as CEO and loss of company vendors.Addressing a cheering crowd, he said, “You have demonstrated to theworld that it is a person's moral obligation and socialresponsibility to protect the culture which provides an honorableand a dignified place in which to work.”