Finland's Prime Minister Antti Rinne has resigned under heavy criticism over how he and a fellow party member in charge of government companies handled a strike by postal workers.

The government had tried to cut the pay of 700 workers at the Posti state-owned postal service.  But the union called a strike, that was joined by workers at shipping docks, railways, buses, and the national airline Finnair.  Soon, 60-thousands workers had joined in on the pickets.  The government backed down on the pay cuts.

Facing this sort of solidarity, the Center Party announced it had lost confidence in Rinne.  The Center Party is part of Finland's ruling five-party coalition led by Rinne's Social Democrats; it also includes the Greens, the Left Alliance, and the Swedish People's Party of Finland.  

No early election is expected.  Parliament will decide on a new prime minister next week.