The nature of the compromise and the main features of organizational and institutional (industrial relations and human resource management) levels define a model for organizing work. It could take different forms. It can evolve towards the strengthening of management control or work democratization, according to organizational choices and unions strategies. In order to cope with labor crises in Alcan plants in the Saguenay region, management, employees and union tried different approaches to organizing work. Their content, emergent conditions and evolution are examined.