Teppo Järnstedt stands for election as JHL’s Chief Executive Officer

A group of actives in JHL’s Union Council has requested the union’s director of organisational affairs, Teppo Järnstedt, to stand for election as a Chief Executive Officer of the union. Järnstedt has agreed to the request.

A group of active members in Trade Union JHL’s Union Council has requested Teppo Järnstedt to stand for election as JHL’s Chief Executive Officer. The request was presented on Thursday 28 May in Helsinki. The actives said that the way Järnstedt has developed representation of interests and operations in the union makes strong grounds for selection.

“Teppo has the courage to reform JHL and drive it forward. It’s time to start leading our trade union into the next decade. Teppo possesses an extensive understanding of the diversity of our trade union, and he is well capable of strong influencing in society”, sums up JHL’s Executive Committee member Kristiina Myller on behalf of the group.

“Teppo has shown in practice what quality in representation of interests means – results and not just promises. JHL members can trust that their interests will be advanced expertly and with dedication”, stresses the chairperson of JHL Infra Petri Lillqvist.

According to the actives, Järnstedt brings results with a long-term, strategic and negotiating approach.

Järnstedt thanked for confidence in him and announced that he will run for the position. He is prepared to serve as one of the union’s Chief Executive Officers for the next five-year term.

“The request to stand as a candidate means very much for me. I also consider it a signal of trust in the work that I have done so far. I’m strongly committed to developing the union and its operations further so that we are prepared for the future challenges in the world of work and union activity”, Järnstedt says.

“JHL should continue to focus on the trade union movement’s core mission: excellence in representation of interests and strong, member-centred operations. We have to evolve in the changing operating environment and be active in shaping the future. That requires courage from the whole union, especially those who make the decisions”, Järnstedt stresses the core mission of the union.

“Our strength lies in skilled actives and personnel. Together we can respond to the challenges that the future presents”, Järnstedt also emphasises the importance of working together.

JHL’s Union Council elections are in February 2027. JHL’s new Union Council will assemble in an assembly meeting on 7 June 2027 and elect the President and two Chief Executive Officers for the union for the next five-year term. The current Chief Executive Officers are Mari Keturi and Saila Ruuth. Keturi is standing for election as the President of the union

The Union Council is the union’s highest decision-making body and consists of 120 elected members. Its term of office is 5 years.

Teppo Järnstedt works as the strategic director of organisational affairs at JHL. He has been working for the union since 2017, for example as the chairperson of Raideammattilaiset JHL ry (JHL’s rail professionals), bargaining director and unit head. His responsibilities have included for example negotiations of 16 collective agreements, international co-operation of the traffic sectors, establishing the Unit for Technical, Energy and Traffic Sector, and the sector’s advocacy work.

Järnstedt has 21 years of experience in trade union activities both as an active union member and a union employee. He has served for example as the chairperson of a regional group, a member of JHL’s Union Council and Executive Committee, a local councillor and the second vice chair of a municipal executive board. He has an EMBA degree in organisation leadership and has worked previously in the Finnish Defence forces and as a shunting supervisor on the railways.

More information:
Teppo Järnstedt, tel. 050 537 2412