IAM Local 1363 members employed by the Catholic Diocese in Youngstown, Ohio have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement after more than a year of negotiations. The new contract covers approximately 30 workers at four cemeteries operated by the diocese.
According to IAM Local 1363 Business Representative Robert Towslee, “This agreement represents not only improved terms, but also the beginning of a renewed commitment to job responsibilities, accountability, and employment security.”
Negotiations for the contract lasted 16 months and included challenges such as disagreements and anti-union efforts from outside groups. IAM Local 1363 Directing Business Representative Timothy Verlinden said, “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 over 117,000 Catholics across 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. It also operates 30 schools with more than 17,000 students.
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. A joint company/worker health and safety committee has been established as part of the deal. Existing employment benefits—such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement plans—are maintained under the new terms.
IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan commented on the achievement: “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. We look forward to more justice on the job for themselves and their families, and more job growth through unionism in the future.”
