Seattle bakery had successful weekend despite protest

Protesters with the Seattle Solidarity Network gather outside Borracchini’s Bakery. Photo by (97.3 KIRO-FM/Brandi Kruse)

Despite a labor protest at a historic Seattle bakery
Saturday, the owner says he did almost five times the
business.

About 80 people with Seattle Solidarity Network picketed
outside of Borracchini’s Bakery in the Rainier Valley.
Hundreds more showed up the same morning to counter-
protest. The groups clashed at one point and medics
arrived to help a woman who apparently was hit. No arrests
were made.

Despite the tension, the bakery’s 82-year-old owner, Remo
Borracchini, tells 97.3 KIRO FM’s Dori
Monson Show he’s not angry about the protests, but
humbled by the outpouring of support.

In an interview with a reporter at the scene of the
protest, “I said those people out there, all good people
I’m sure, we happen to disagree on an issue, but I’m not
angry. There are a lot more important things in life,
like your health and your family, to be concerned about.”

Borracchini’s concerns quickly grew a few weeks ago after
firing one of his employees for what he says were
complaints from customers.

The fired employee sought support from Seattle Solidarity
Network and demanded $8,000 because she says she wasn’t
given the 10 minute breaks she was due over the past
nine years.
Borracchini says he has surveillance video showing the
woman on breaks.

Seattle Solidarity Network had said they’d continue to
protest until the money is paid to the woman. It’s not
clear yet if the group has another protest planned.

In the meantime, Borracchini is announcing a donation of
$10,000 to Children’s Hospital and bonuses for his
employees.

“I have a fabulous crew. These people who work here at the
bakery are all nice. You can ask anybody who walks through
the door. We’re just people working for a living and we’re
having a good time doing it.”

Borracchini says about 900 supporters showed up at the
bakery on Friday and another 1,500 on Saturday from as far
away as Cle Elum.

“It’s a humbling experience.”

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97.3 KIRO FM’s Brandi Kruse contributed to this report.