Robert Bratschi

Robert Bratschi (6 February 1891 – 24 May 1981) was a Swiss politician and trade unionist.

Born in Bözingen (now part of Biel/Bienne), Bratschi found work with the Swiss Federal Railways, 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 (SP), and in 1922 was elected to Bern City Council, and to the National Council. In 1932, he moved to serve on the council of the Canton of Bern, while remaining on the National Council.^[1]

From 1934, Bratschi was president of the Swiss Trade Union Federation, the leading position in Swiss trade unionism. In 1950, he also won election as president of the International Transport Workers' Federation.^[1]

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.^[1]

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