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 noted the challenges during negotiations. “While the process included moments of disagreement and outside anti-union efforts, we remained steadfast and focused on our shared goals,” Verlinden said. “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. The diocese also educates more than 17,000 children in its 30 schools. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) represents about 30 workers at four cemeteries managed by the diocese.
The new contract provides wage increases ranging from 3% to 35%, depending on each worker’s specialty and current wage rate. Employees will now receive 13 fully paid holidays annually. The agreement includes the creation of a joint company/worker health and safety committee. All existing employment benefits—such as personal days, sick leave, vacation accruals, and retirement benefits—were retained 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.”
