Robert Bratschi (6 February 1891 – 24 May 1981) was a

Swiss Swiss may refer to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland * Swiss people Places * Swiss, Missouri * Swiss, North Carolina *Swiss, West Virginia * Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses *Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports *Swiss Internation ...

politician and trade unionist. Born in Bözingen (now part of

Biel/Bienne Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; , ) is a List of towns in Switzerland, town and a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in the Biel/Bienne (administrative district), Biel/Bienne administrative district in the canton of Bern in Swi ...

), Bratschi found work with the

Swiss Federal Railways Swiss Federal Railways (german: link=no, Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, ''SBB''; french: link=no, Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses, ''CFF''; it, Ferrovie federali svizzere, ''FFS'') is the national railway company of Switzerland. It is usuall ...

, becoming a station master, and then an administrative worker. He joined the Swiss Railwaymen's Association (SEV), and was elected as its general secretary in 1920. He also joined the

Social Democratic Party of Switzerland The Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (german: Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz; SP; rm, Partida Socialdemocrata da la Svizra) or Swiss Socialist Party (french: Parti socialiste suisse, it, Partito Socialista Svizzero; PS), is a polit ...

(SP), and in 1922 was elected to

Bern german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese , neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen , website ...

City Council, and to the National Council. In 1932, he moved to serve on the council of the

Canton of Bern The canton of Bern or Berne (german: Kanton Bern; rm, Chantun Berna; french: canton de Berne; it, Canton Berna) is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. Its capital city, Bern, is also the ''de facto'' capital of Switzerland. ...

, while remaining on the National Council. From 1934, Bratschi was president of the

Swiss Trade Union Federation The Swiss Trade Union Federation (, SGB; ; , USS) is the largest national trade union center in Switzerland. History The federation was founded in 1880 and represents 361,000 members in its affiliated unions (2015). The SGB has close ties with ...

, the leading position in Swiss trade unionism. In 1950, he also won election as president of the

International Transport Workers' Federation The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is a democratic global union federation of transport workers' trade unions, founded in 1896. In 2017 the ITF had 677 member organizations in 149 countries, representing a combined membership ...

. At the end of 1953, Bratschi stood down from all his trade union positions, to become a director of the Bern–Lötschberg–Simplon railway. He remained politically active, and in 1957/58, served as President of the National Council of Switzerland. He supported the SP accepting seats on the Federal Council, and played a key role in agreeing the " magic formula" in 1959, which enabled them to do so. He finally retired in 1967.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bratschi, Robert 1891 births 1981 deaths Members of the National Council (Switzerland) Presidents of the National Council (Switzerland) People from Biel/Bienne Social Democratic Party of Switzerland politicians Swiss trade unionists