CLEVELAND, December 11 — It is with great sadness that the BLET National Division announces the passing of former General Chairman Steven J. Bratka, 65, who passed away on December 7, 2014, following a battle with cancer. He was a member of the BLET for more than 40 years.
He was born in Burwell, Neb., on August 13, 1949. His railroad career began in 1970 when he hired out as a clerk with the Burlington Northern predecessor Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. He transferred to the trainman’s craft in 1973 and in 1974, he entered into engine service when he became a locomotive fireman. He joined the BLE that same year, promoting as a locomotive engineer in 1975..
In 1979, Brother Bratka began serving the Brotherhood as Local Chairman of Division 98 in Lincoln, Neb. He was reelected to that office numerous times over the years and represented Division 98 as a delegate to BLE International Conventions in 1986 and 1991.
Brother Bratka was elected First Alternate Vice Chairman of the BN/MRL General Committee of Adjustment in 1989, ascending to full time office as Third Vice General Chairman in St. Paul, Minn. in 1991. He served the GCA as General Chairman in 1998, then as a Vice General Chairman from 1998 until he retired in 2011. Brother Bratka was a full time officer of the BN/MRL GCA when its offices were relocated to Ft. Worth, TX where he resided until his passing.
Brother Bratka also represented the BLET on the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) from 2005 until his retirement in 2011, participating in various Working Groups including Railroad Operating Rules, Human Factors and Medical Standards.
Most recently and while fighting cancer, Brother Bratka served on the BLET National Division’s arrangements committee for the union’s 150th anniversary celebration in May of 2013.
“Brother Bratka was a young Local Chairman when he signed me up to join the BLE shortly after I promoted as a locomotive engineer in Lincoln in 1981,” said National President Dennis Pierce. “He was my first BLE Local Chairman, and I later served in that same office when I first became an officer of our proud Brotherhood. I then worked side by side with Brother Steve at the General Committee Offices for almost 13 years. In his time as a General Committee Officer, Steve mentored dozens of young Local Chairmen, helping them become the seasoned and qualified representatives that they are today, and he will be sorely missed.
“Brother Bratka was also very civically involved in Fort Worth, holding leadership roles in his community and in the local Democratic Party. Brother Steve was the one who convinced me to run for Chairman of my Democratic Party Precinct in 2008, and that led to me serving as a delegate to the 2008 Texas Democratic Party Convention, as well as serving as an Election Judge on Election Day in 2008.
“My heart goes out to Brother Steve’s family and friends, I can only imagine the loss that they have experienced,” President Pierce said. “Steve Bratka left an indelible mark on not only his family and the community that he lived in, but also on our Organization. He championed the causes of those who had no voice, and as one of the many officers of our Union that he mentored, I can say that our Organization lost one of its true heroes with his passing.”
At the family’s request, there will be no funeral. A farewell memorial service to celebrate Brother Bratka’s life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at the Southside Preservation Hall, 1519 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth, TX, 76104.