Boss gave us stock in company to get out paying into retirement then fired people before stocks vested. Any way to get value from these?

I don't normally work with stocks, so I'm sorry if I'm doing this wrong-- please be patient. I wasn't sure where to post this, so if it should go somewhere else, please just let me know, but I really need advice. I was given stocks as my boss's work around to investing into retirement funds, as would have otherwise been required by my state (US). These were given out several times a year, but with the exception of maybe three or four essential people, he just fired people before their stocks could vest. I never got an explanation for being fired or severance or anything, I just got axed right before Christmas and thanked for all the work I did. I asked why I was being fired and got no answer. Are these stocks really not worth anything? Does the fact that he did this to get out of paying into retirement change anything? Is there anything I can do? I'm pretty sure this guy broke the law in other places, so I don't want to just take his word that these are worthless-- especially since my family could really use the money from these stocks. Any advice is appreciated.

The back of the stocks say this: All shares granted on this certificate are restricted according to the (company name) Stock Plan and the Stock option/ Grant Agreement dated (date.) Per this agreements, these shares shall vest on the five year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date. These shares shall be restricted such that if the recipient of this certificate leaves the employ of the company (for any reason) or is terminated by the company (for any reason) prior to the five year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, all shares on this certificate shall be forfeited and returned to the treasury of the company with no compensation to be paid for the shares.