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 new contract covers about 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 of Youngstown serves more than 117,000 Catholics across 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. It also oversees education for over 17,000 students in its network of 30 schools.
Under the new agreement, workers will receive wage increases ranging from 35% to 3%, depending on their specialty and current pay rate. The contract includes provisions for 13 fully paid holidays each year and maintains all existing employment benefits such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement plans. A joint health and safety committee has also been established.
“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.”
