The Role of Pilot Projects in Facilitating Changes in Work Organization in the Postal Sector Canadian Case Study

6. Conclusion A process that permits labour and management to test new work methods and new work rules can facilitate the introduction of changes and assist parties in resolving longstanding disputes. The process must be truly jointly controlled with both parties having equal rights and input into all decisions. The process designed by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post Corporation was successful due to a number of factors: 1. Clear identification of objectives and self-interest of each party; 2. Collective agreement protection for new work rules; 3. Separate and independent communications to employees; 4. Mutual veto power over decisions; 5. Significant and independent resources for both parties at the local and national levels including funding for the union; 6. Direct access to decision makers; 7. Use of independent surveys and focus groups; 8. Joint development and implementation of the evaluation process; 9. Access to all relevant information; 10. Independence of the process from other areas of conflict. The success of the Appendix AA process was due to the acknowledgement of both union and management that there is a need to improve working conditions with respect to health and safety while enhancing the quality of services and addressing the realities of increased competition and the threats posed by deregulation and privatization. This progress is a significant especially given the poor labor relations8 that existed for many years. Continuation of this approach promises further progress.