The canteen – popular meeting place on the factory site

Virtual Museum

The canteen – popular meeting place on the factory site

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The canteen as a meeting place

The canteen provided workers with ample fare. As the paper mill expanded over the years, the canteen became an increasingly important meeting place where workers from different departments were able to meet and talk.

From 1951, a proper canteen was available. This canteen was housed in the same building as paper machines 3 and 4. It was run by the Schweizer Verband Volksdienst – a Swiss non-profit association dedicated to promoting the welfare of soldiers and factory workers through the provision of healthy and affordable food.

It offered a nutritious lunch as well as breakfast and dinner. When it first opened its doors, workers were able to buy a full meal for as little as CHF 2.50. The canteen was also where everyone met, because unlike in other factories, Papieri did not have separate areas for office workers and factory workers.

Images

The paper mill had only one canteen, shared by workers, employees and management alike. (1951)
A functional room for staff catering, with precisely aligned pictures. (1951)
A good mood in the canteen team after baking Christmas biscuits. (c. 1960)
Today there is no longer a canteen on the Papieri site, but cooking still goes on.
The Kalander hall can be rented for events and functions. Here catering companies take care of the food and drink.
Until the restaurant in the Kesselhaus opens, hearty meals are for now enjoyed in the Kalander hall.

Location

The canteen – the factory's popular meeting point.

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