IAM Local 1363 members employed by the Catholic Diocese in Youngstown, Ohio have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement after 16 months of negotiations. The contract covers approximately 30 workers at the diocese’s four cemeteries.
“This agreement represents not only improved terms, but also the beginning of a renewed commitment to job responsibilities, accountability, and employment security,” said IAM Local 1363 Business Representative Robert Towslee.
“While the process included moments of disagreement and outside anti-union efforts, we remained steadfast and focused on our shared goals,” said IAM Local 1363 Directing Business Representative Timothy Verlinden. “Together, we achieved fair resolutions on wages, benefits, time-off accruals, and holidays.”
The Catholic Diocese in Youngstown serves more than 117,000 Catholics across 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. It also educates over 17,000 students in its network of 30 schools.
Under the new contract, wage increases for workers ranged from 35% to 3%, depending on specialty and current pay rates. The agreement provides for 13 fully paid holidays each year. A joint health and safety committee with both company and worker representatives has been created. Existing employment benefits—including personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement plans—were preserved.
“Standing up for your rights as workers for the first time is always challenging. I am so proud of these members of Local 1363 and what they have achieved with solidarity,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “We look forward to more justice on the job for themselves and their families, and more job growth through unionism in the future.”
