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.
Robert Towslee, IAM Local 1363 Business Representative, said, “This agreement represents not only improved terms, but also the beginning of a renewed commitment to job responsibilities, accountability, and employment security.”
Timothy Verlinden, IAM Local 1363 Directing Business Representative, commented on the negotiations: “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 across 67 parishes and one mission in northeast Ohio. It also operates 30 schools serving over 17,000 students. The IAM represents about 30 workers at four cemeteries managed by the diocese.
Under the new contract, workers received wage increases ranging from 3% to 35%, depending on their specialty and current pay rate. The agreement includes 13 fully paid holidays each year. A joint company/worker health and safety committee has been established. Existing employment benefits such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement benefits are maintained under the new contract.
David Sullivan, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President stated: “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.”
