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 contract, finalized after 16 months, marks a significant development for 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 over 117,000 Catholics across 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. Its network includes more than 17,000 students attending schools managed by the diocese.
About 30 workers represented by IAM Local 1363 are employed at the diocese’s cemeteries. Under the new agreement, these employees will receive wage increases ranging from 35% to 3%, depending on their specialty and current pay rate. The contract also grants workers 13 fully paid holidays each year and maintains all existing employment benefits such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement plans. Additionally, a joint company/worker health and safety committee has been established as part of the new terms.
“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.”
