Railway sector collective agreement negotiations have started
The atmosphere was expectant as the collective agreement negotiations of the railway sector began. The negotiators have a busy spring ahead. The current agreement will end at the end of March.
Collective agreement negotiations of the railway sector started on Wednesday 29 January.
In the first meeting the parties had a preliminary discussion on their negotiation goals.
– We discussed themes that will be raised in these negotiations. They include questions that concern pay and working times. The overall labour market situation and what is agreed in other sectors will yet significantly influence the negotiations as a whole, comments JHL’s Bargaining Specialist Miika Lumitsalo.
The collective agreement for the railway sector applies to a broad group of professionals who work for example as train conductors in passenger traffic, railway yard workers, tram and metro drivers and in different kinds of maintenance work.
The current collective agreement for the railway sector ends at the end of March
The current collective agreement for the railway sector was agreed two years ago. It will end on 31 March.
The goal is to have the new collective agreement wrapped up by the time when the current agreement ends.
– For now, we continue the meet once a week, and when the deadline gets closer, the pace will intensify, Lumitsalo tells about the negotiation process.
JHL’s negotiators are seasoned railway sector experts, and the voice of the field is heard loud and clear
JHL is the only trade union representing the employees in the railway sector collective agreement negotiations. JHL’s negotiator is Bargaining Specialist Miika Lumitsalo.
Lumitsalo has also worked in the railway sector. Therefore, he knows the needs of the employees well. He worked nine years as a shunting foreman at the Kouvola railway yard and was the chief shop steward for several years. Lumitsalo has now worked at JHL for five years and started in his current role as the bargaining specialist for the railway sector a year ago.
– It is interesting to start this round of negotiations in a new role and with a new negotiation team line-up. Negotiating is not a solo performance or two-person show. It is very important to listen closely to the needs of the members and communicate about the developments in the negotiations, Lumitsalo explains.
The negotiation team includes also JHL’s Bargaining Manager Teppo Järnstedt, who leads JHL’s unit for technical, energy and traffic sector. Järnstedt has negotiated on the collective agreement for the railway sector also several times before. He has a railway background as well.
The negotiating party at the employer side is Service Sector Employers Palta.
More information:
Miika Lumitsalo, Bargaining Specialist, 050 471 3408
Your trade union JHL negotiates on a number of collective agreements in 2025. Follow the negotiations on our website.
Join JHL!
JHL is the trade union for railway sector professionals. Our members work for example as train conductors in passenger traffic, railway yard workers, and tram and metro drivers. They also include professionals working in the maintenance of railway vehicles, trams, metro cars and urban rail tracks
