there were various 19th century labour movements in switzerland before the establishment of the national social democratic party, such as the grütli union, the swiss federation of trade unions (1880), and several local social democratic parties. most of these labour parties only lasted a short time, until the foundation of the social democratic party on 21 october 1888 (the swiss labour day). albert steck of bern composed the party's platform, which emphasised democracy, rejected revolutionary aspirations and mandated a democratic solution to the social question. the first party president was alexander reichel of bern.