Two Market Basket executives who were fired Tuesday say the move was part of an effort to silence employees who oppose changes the company's board of directors and some shareholders want to make to the company.

According to the Market Basket Board of Directors, both Schmidt and Gordon were fired for making false and derogatory remarks about the company and people associated with it, and inappropriate communications with colleagues.

In a statement, Market Basket board of directors said the terminations came as a result of a recent internal investigation that found the two supervisors engaged in “insubordination, making false and derogatory remarks about the company and people associated with it, and inappropriate communications with colleagues.”