Mediator’s switch to job jeopardises trust

A credibility crisis has hit the Finnish labor conflict mediation system as the news about the top national mediator's mid-term switch to work for the employers caused hot discussion this weekend.

Minna Helle resigned as the labor market mediator in late April, and is expected to start working with the technological sector employer organization in June. Media reports claimed that she was approached by the employer organization as early as in January with an offer.

Anger in the labor unions has been boosted by the fact that this winter season Helle continuously insisted that the 3.2 percent rate of pay raise agreed in the technological sector should be applied in the whole labor market.

"You will not get more than 3.2 percent in my mediation solution," the unions quoted her as saying.

Helle has denied any bias.

Despite the suspicion, there was no proof that Helle chose to help the employer organization on basis of knowing she would change job.

The national mediator is supposed to be the neutral top level help in bringing solutions to labor conflicts. In the Finnish bargaining system, if the employee and employer organizations do not reach an agreement and strikes or lockouts are imminent, they approach the national mediator's office. The mediator then arranges meetings and suggests a solution. He or she cannot enforce a solution though. The Finnish system is not arbitration.

Seppo Koskinen, professor of labor law at Turku University, said on Sunday that the strong reaction from the employee unions shows that a crack has developed in the credibility and trust that the mediator should have.

Koskinen told broadcaster Yle that Helle should have pulled herself out of mediation work instantly when she had begun talking about her personal employment plans with the technology sector.

Criticism from influential union leaders has increased over the weekend.

Riku Aalto, chairman of the newly consolidated industrial union of metal and forest industry workers, told business weekly Talouselama that the role of the mediator is to mediate conflicts, not to define the level of payment increase.

Matti Harjuniemi, chairman of the construction workers, accused Helle of tilting towards the employer side in the current talks on construction industry where strikes are on and an employer lockout may take effect this coming week.

Since her resignation, Helle has transferred all mediations to her deputies.

No legally mandated cooling off period are required for the state mediator with a view to seeking new employment.