The General Council represents the members in TEK’s decision-making. The council is elected for a three-year term, with the next election taking place in March 2026. Now is the time to ask the chairpersons of the current council groups what the council has achieved and what should be done in the future.
Each chairperson or was allowed to answer with up to 2,000 characters including spaces. Answers from the Keskusta council group are from their vice-chairperson. We present the answers in alphabetical order by the Finnish name of the council group: iTyö, Keskusta, Kokoomus, Sosialidemokraatit, TEKin Nuoret, Tfiffarna, Vasemmisto, Vihreät and Yhtenäisyys ja Teekkarihenki.
Students are also represented in the council. Their representatives are not elected but selected through an open application process for one calendar year at a time. That’s why they’re not represented in this poll.
Questions
- What has your council group achieved during the past council term?
- What distinguishes you from the other council groups?
- How would you improve TEK?
- Why should all TEK members be interested in TEK elections and council work?
Jari Nummikoski, iTyö ('iWork')
1. One of the most important goals of the iTyö council group has been and will be improving the employment terms of TEK members in both private companies and in the public sector. That is why we have played a strong role in the TEK committees in negotiating and approving collective agreements. In the committees, we work to ensure, among other things, the salary development of our members and other matters negotiated in collective agreements, such as holiday bonuses. We have also been active in the council by presenting several council initiatives. This way, we have influenced TEK’s operations and taken a stand on ensuring that, for example, the right to grant a doctoral degree should be limited only to universities.
2. Our group includes several employee representatives as well as occupational safety and health representatives. This is why we are familiar with the workplace conditions and challenges of our members. As a result of our role, we also have strong familiarity with collective agreements and labour legislation. This expertise is utilised in TEK’s advocacy. As an independent group, our core task is to improve the contract terms and well-being at work of our members and to promote their interests. Work formats are constantly changing, whether working remotely or not, and we must ensure that they are not just a way of saving costs for the employer and transferring costs to the employee, but that everyone benefits.
3. Although TEK has several important tasks – such as acting as a community of its members, research activities, working for the appreciation of technology and working to save this planet – we must nevertheless ensure sufficient resources for advocacy and services for our members in various life situations. Well-being at work and fair pay for the members are the core activities of TEK and also the benefit of TEK.
4. Through the council groups, you can influence the council’s work. By being a candidate in the council elections and becoming a councillor, you will be TEK’s highest decision-maker and experience TEK’s sense of community at its best. If you don’t vote, you allow others to decide how TEK emphasises its key tasks.
Mikko Lasanen, Keskusta (Centre Party)
1. Keskusta council group has engaged in determined cooperation with the other groups in representative bodies. Our goal has been to ensure that all members have the best possible input-output ratio for the membership fees they pay. We have strengthened the dialogue between TEK and societal decision-making by keeping in touch with Centre Party's representatives in the Parliament and state government, and actively highlighting the views of academic engineers and architects in Centre Party’s employee network.
2. Keskusta is human-oriented and listens. We want TEK to support its members at various chapters of their lives, from student to having a family as well as in retirement. Keskusta emphasises the balance between family and work – we see it as the foundation of well-being and work motivation. Keskusta’s decision-making bodies genuinely listen to the voice of TEK members – not just formally.
3. Keskusta wants to strengthen TEK's support for local employee representatives, so that they can better serve members in pay and term negotiations. The employment and well-being of our members is based on competence-based sustainable growth of the national economy. TEK must be a pioneer in promoting lifelong learning. This requires active work to build a new adult education benefit and to improve the preconditions for further and continuing education. The 4% target for RD funding and cooperation with the higher education sector, research institutes and companies, as well as the opportunities created by the green transition in the creation of high-added-value jobs, should be emphasised in the societal advocacy work. In addition, TEK must support the flexible combination of entrepreneurship and employment.
4. TEK is an interest group for its members – its decisions have a direct impact on terms of employment, education and the future of the technological sector. By participating in TEK elections and supporting the candidates of Keskusta, you can influence what TEK emphasises and what kind of values it represents. The goal of Keskusta is a humane, competent TEK that serves its members throughout Finland.
Elina Wanne, Kokoomus (National Coalition Party)
1. As the Kokoomus group, we consider the central task of TEK to be the development of good working life, versatile careers, and an environment for innovation, as well as the promotion of the status of technology. We have emphasised the societal role of TEK and promoted openness. Based on our initiative, the Doctoral Committee was established to examine the labour market position of people with postgraduate degrees. Our members play an active role in TEK’s board, council and committees.
2. For us, TEK is a guardian of the interests of its members, a societal advocate and a community. We work for our members’ good careers, equality in employment, lifelong learning and well-being. In TEK’s internal decision-making, we have profiled ourselves as defenders of entrepreneurship, good financial management, and equal treatment of all member groups. We have also always had the most curiosity with regard to the future. We are part of a national network of National Coalition Party members, which solves societal problems in organisations, the Parliament, wellbeing services counties and municipalities – in unison, appropriately, competently and decisively.
3. TEK must develop into a more effective driver of discussion, presenter of solutions and defender of good working life. New methods are needed to support well-being at work and the attractiveness of the field of technology. TEK policies are needed for matters in education policy (resources, doctors from universities of applied sciences) and economic policy (the sustainability gap, pensions and other social security, taxation).
4. TEK’s General Council is the place where decisions are made on how the organisation will be developed and how it will focus its operations. The council elections are an opportunity for members to offer to work for mutual issues and to steer the future of TEK by voting. Join us in building a better working life, a more sustainable world, and a community of TEK members!
Kaarin Taipale, Sosialidemokraatit (Social Democrats)
1. We have successfully established the newly formed Group for International Experts and launched its activities, securing the chairmanship as well. In addition, we organized an English-language municipal election panel on Teams. A proposal has been sent to newly elected TEK-affiliated city council members to include a section in the municipal strategy emphasizing the importance of employment and integration services for international professionals. We have submitted an initiative to TEK’s council proposing that the chair of TEK’s council be granted the right to attend TEK board meetings. A representative of the group has also spoken at panel discussions in the council arena.
2. As a political movement, we work to safeguard the collective agreement system and the position of salary earners. We are a small but spirited group that operates with social democratic values and a strong commitment to cooperation.
3. We would increase open discussion in the council about TEK’s political goals—both within Akava and regarding proposals to be included in the government program formed after the parliamentary elections.
4. In TEK’s council, one can influence both through TEK and directly within TEK’s operations. The council also offers a broad view of the diverse roles of academic professionals in technology and the challenges faced by the profession.
Markus Karppanen, TEKin Nuoret ('TEK Youth')
1. We have systematically highlighted the importance of the membership of young people and members with an international background and have demanded more ambitious indicators for these. In connection with the municipal elections, we influenced TEK’s election objectives by advocating views related to technology-friendliness, equality and ecological sustainability. We have also made several council initiatives in which we have called for, e.g. modernity in the work of committees and active advocacy regarding immigrant labour legislation. As the latest example, we submitted a written question to the board on improving the functioning of the council.
2. In my view, one significant difference is that we have clearly outlined theses that are visible on our website. We also have the courage to take a stand on more sensitive political issues; we do not need to hold back. In general, I think that our group is the group that drives change in TEK. We have a good spirit and everyone spars with each other together. We have also invested in communications: for example, the topics discussed at a council meeting are communicated on our website and on social media.
3. It would be good to obtain an even more real-time pulse on members’ perspectives and on how the pursuit of goals in collective agreements and national politics progresses. In general, TEK could be an even greater influence in national politics. The number of TEK members should be increased especially in the segment of people under 40 years old. In connection with the development of the council referred to earlier, the management system of TEK could be shaken up a little, starting with the council.
4. As has been seen in recent years, the labour market can occasionally be turbulent. The decisions made in Finland in recent years have, in many respects, turned the rules of the game in working life in a bad direction for young people. We want to be part of changing this development, and that is why now is the right time for young people to play a greater role in TEK. This work requires young people’s own thoughts and views. That means you. Join us!
Jimmy Nylund, Tfiffarna
1. During the ongoing council term, we have raised concerns about young people’s level of competence in mathematics and natural sciences, and we have launched a council initiative on the topic. In addition, we have highlighted the needs of Swedish-speaking members and the role of the Swedish language in TEK’s activities.
2. Above all, we are distinguished by language and culture. We are TEK’s only Swedish-speaking council group. Our goal is for each member – including Swedish speakers – to have a good membership experience.
3. We would like to see TEK become closer to its members and further increase its good understanding of the needs of its multiprofessional and diverse membership. We also want TEK to boldly continue to promote sustainable technology.
4. TEK’s General Council decides on matters that have a direct impact on every member’s daily life – from salary development to education policy and working life terms. Elections are the best way to influence the direction in which TEK develops. When you take part, you are part of building the future of the technology sector – and ensuring that the voice of Swedish-speaking engineers, architects and scientists is also heard.
TFiF-TEK members stand for election and vote in the TFiF electoral district. During this council term, council members elected from TFiF’s electoral district are in the Tfiffarna group and represent TFiF-TEK members in TEK’s General Council.
Noora Laak, Vasemmisto (Left Alliance)
1. Working as a small council group requires continuous cooperation with other groups, and we have been involved in preparing several council initiatives during the term. The current government of the country has weakened the position of employees and unions in an unprecedented way: for example, the export model of salaries, abolition of adult education benefits, and restriction of the right to strike have been implemented. In my opinion, TEK should have taken a stronger stand on the weakening measures presented and, on the other hand, communicated the impacts of measures more actively to its members. In spring 2024, we called for TEK to participate more actively in the public debate on the future of agreeing on terms of employment, and the initiative received broad support in the council.
2. The activities and objectives of our group are based on a left-wing value base – a fair and equal working life that is sustainable from the perspective of both the environment and the employee. So far, our group is quite small, but it represents a wide range of sectors – we always welcome new TEK left-wingers with pleasure! We believe that TEK is a significant social influencer, and that political debate on values and negotiations on objectives are an important part of the organisation’s decision-making and steering of its activities.
3. It would be important to communicate more about the basic tasks of TEK, advocacy work, and the rules of working life to its members. The transparency of activities is especially important for young people just getting to know TEK – but reviewing the basics could serve members of widely varying ages :) It is also important for us to open up more channels for participating in TEK’s activities; for example, by opening an open application process for members to committees.
4. The council decides on TEK’s major policies and operational objectives. For this reason, it is important that the composition of the council broadly reflects the membership and various values of the members. The results of the elections and TEK’s objectives also have broader societal significance, as TEK carries out advocacy work both in Finnish society and in Akava.
Mikko Viilo, Vihreät (The Greens)
1. Vihreät emphasise a working life in which everyone stays on board, as well as commitment to the green transition, good member services, promotion of equality, and non-discrimination – just to mention the most important themes. This council term has been characterised by the working life reforms of the national government. We have been annoyed by changes that weaken the position of employees and, in particular, by the hostile attitudes towards foreign professionals. In these matters, TEK has mostly used a voice that we can accept, but various opinions exist in the organisation which are subject to constant background debate. As the labour market situation became inflamed in 2023, we launched, together with three other groups, a council initiative to call for TEK’s stronger participation in social debate on the future of the labour market model and terms of employment. The Sustainable Growth Programme (Kestävän kasvun ohjelma) is also in line with the Vihreät’s objectives, and we are pleased that TEK supports it.
2. Three years ago, TEK conducted a member survey, according to which half of its members are so-called world rescuers or universalists. For this group, equality and non-discrimination, climate work and matters related to well-being at work are important. We recognise these themes as our own and represent this group of members. We are united by green values. Many of us are also working in other Greens-based roles, but this is not a requirement for admission to the group.
3. The main lines of operations are in order. The organisation’s internal operating methods are sometimes slightly outdated. The council is slightly more conservative and older than the membership, and we would like to see more desire for reforms.
4. It is worthwhile to be interested in the elections in order to influence TEK’s development. Becoming a candidate is worth it if you want to exert influence, you are interested in the field of technology and its societal impacts, or you are simply curious to try something new. The TEK Council and other bodies that can be reached through the elections are vantage points. Success in the TEK elections may be surprisingly easy.
Arto Timperi, Yhtenäisyys ja Teekkarihenki ('Unity and Teekkari spirit')
1. Our group works to ensure that TEK members have access to the best possible tools and services that support the development of competence, working life skills, and well-being at work. Our council group has been involved in almost all TEK functions and committees. For example: Technology entrepreneurship has been promoted in the Entrepreneurship Committee through several actions (for example, Summit seminars, discussions with ministers). We have spurred discussion on entrepreneurship and ownership, for example during the Council Arena on 13 November 2025. From our group, Hannu-Matti Järvinen is the chairperson of the council, I am the chairperson of the board, Mika Uusi-Pietilä the chairperson of the Entrepreneurship Committee, and Katriina Schrey-Niemenmaa the chairperson of the Education Policy Committee. Mikko J. Salminen leads the Datax project, which aims to improve the utilisation of member data in the development of TEK services.
2. Yhtenäisyys is a politically independent group. We work across sectors for the benefit of TEK members and Finnish business life.
3. We are leading TEK into the future. We anticipate the opportunities (and threats) brought by technology by promoting the responsible and growth-oriented development of technologies and their open-minded application, based on research knowledge. We support the development of the services needed by members. The interface between employee and entrepreneur roles must be made smoother. Our members are becoming more international, and we are strongly involved in this. We also want bachelor-degree holders to join TEK. We have a close network of members that works in different sectors and has spread to all levels of organisations, from students and trainees to senior management and boards.
4. Through the council, you can influence the matters of our profession. By selecting qualified representatives, you can ensure that your development goals are taken into account. Through the council and committees, you can also participate in decision-making – if you so wish. This will also allow you to influence matters concerning our country. This is a benefit affecting all of us and, on the other hand, a duty.