IAM Local 1363 members employed by the Catholic Diocese in Youngstown, Ohio have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement after a negotiation process that lasted 16 months.
“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 commented on the negotiation process: “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 provides services to more than 117,000 Catholics across 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. It also operates 30 schools serving over 17,000 children. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) represents about 30 employees who work at four cemeteries managed by the diocese.
Under the new contract, workers will receive wage increases ranging from 35% to 3%, depending on their specialty and current pay rate. The agreement includes provisions for 13 fully paid holidays annually. A joint health and safety committee has been established between company representatives and workers. All existing employment benefits—such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement benefits—will continue under the new contract.
“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.”
