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 four cemeteries operated by the diocese.
“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.
IAM Local 1363 Directing Business Representative Timothy Verlinden stated, “While the process included moments of disagreement and outside anti-union efforts, we remained steadfast and focused on our shared goals. Together, we achieved fair resolutions on wages, benefits, time-off accruals, and holidays.”
The Catholic Diocese in Youngstown serves more than 117,000 Catholics through its network of 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. It also provides education for over 17,000 students across 30 diocesan schools.
Under the new agreement, workers received wage increases ranging from 35% to 3%, depending on their specialty and current wage rate. The contract also includes 13 fully paid holidays each year. A joint company/worker health and safety committee was established as part of the deal. Existing employment benefits—such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement plans—were maintained.
“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.”
