The restructuring of the Pechenga District is analysed in this study through interviews with the participants - workers, public sector and managers - of the process. Moreover, the Russian North's restructuring cases are compared to similar Western processes to identify similarities and differences. This research indicates that the restructuring of resource communities in the Russian North differs from similar Western processes because of the Soviet legacy and the present Russian context. Particularly the workers' role diverges from Western cases because of the former Soviet labour policy, lacking safety networks and undeveloped civil society