Twenty-four cemetery workers from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio have voted to join IAM Local 1363. With job security as a top priority and a list of concerns ranging from safety issues to stagnant, substandard wages and the need to have a voice in the workplace, this dedicated group of grounds crew and sales support team members reached out to the IAM for representation.
“I welcome our new members to the IAM family,” said IAM Local 1363 Directing Business Representative Timothy Verlinden. “Thanks to the hard work of Scott Cross and Garrett Crucian, who spearheaded the initial outreach and engagement efforts within the grounds crew and the sales team, we were able to set up meetings to discuss and address their concerns.”
“Over the course of several meetings, we worked tirelessly to educate our new members on their rights and the benefits of union representation,” continued Verlinden. “Despite facing resistance from the employer, who fought to maintain the status quo, they persevered.”
“I want to extend my heartfelt welcome to the IAM family to our new members,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Their dedication and unwavering support made all the difference. Together, they stood firm in the face of adversity.”