Frenchmen can have GOOD ideas...

The Works Council at Boissel Transports uses the vending machines to inform workers

Drinking a coffee whilst learning about an upcoming social event or safety tips has become a reality at the Boissel transport company in Ergue Gabéric. In a hallway leading to the garages and storage sheds are two vending machines. "Bob" Diler (48) says everyone uses the coffee machines. Whilst the coin drops and the black liquid flows into the plastic cup, the seconds are used to scroll images and professional messages across a 15 inch LCD screen built into the machine. Some are just eye catchers like exotic yachts or Australien road-trains but others indicate how to get out of a truck cab without pulling a muscle, the accident statistics for the last month or how to couple and uncouple a trailer. Seeing yourself on screen. Exactly ... "That's where the idea came from," says Bob. There had been an incident in the garage. A trailer was unhooked. I asked myself how to get a preventive message to employees?" says the treasurer of the works council who is also driver and trainer within the company. At the same time, the works council renewed the lease of the vending machines. Autobar, a European group, proposed a new product, a distributor with a video screen. Bob Diler, who has no special skills for photo and video, immediately saw the benefits of this new device. "I discussed it with my colleagues on the council and they agreed".
"The first slide shows and following videos were made by members of the works council. They choose the most relevant topics but I advise management and the training department of the company. We are very interested in showing field experiences".
A CFDT activist, Bob does not see the screen as a tool to organize (but it could be - RN). "In practice, it's used for prevention, safety and work information. Projects are not lacking. "The next program is ready with registration for a company outing, a game to encourage efficient driving and a topic on use of mobile phones... Bob has no shortage of ideas. The works council has a bought a camcorder and a camera. Once the subjects made, Yannick, an Autobar technician, assembles and transfers them to an SD card.
The STG Group, which owns Boissel, is interested in the experience. "This will be a subject for our internal magazine. But the key issue is of course the opinion of employees. The returns are good. "Our colleagues are discovering the works councils' proposals," says Didier, onr of its members. They also like to see themselves on screen, I think. Bob is already planning his next program.

Translation based on an article in "Ouest France" (28/05/2011)