ST. CATHARINES, Ont.—United Steelworkers (USW) unio members at two factories in the Niagara region have ratified new three-year contracts that include pay raises and improved pensions with their employers.

USW members at Johnson Matthey Ltd.’s precision castings division in St. Catharines, Ont., approved a new contract that will provide wage increases totalling more than 5.75 per cent over the life of deal.

The agreement also includes improvements in benefits, pensions, shift premiums and a $1.65 hourly increase to the entry-level wage for new workers in addition to the general wage hikes.

USW members at PanAbrasive Inc. in nearby Welland, Ont., negotiated a new contract with total wage increases of more than 5.25 per cent over the term of the contract.

The unio says the new agreement also provides a 20 per cent increase in PanAbrasive’s contributions to the employees’ retirement savings plan, benefit improvements and stronger contract language on workers’ rights.

The unio says the new collective agreements were overwhelmingly supported by USW members at both plants.