PITTSBURGH — The members of the United Steelworkers have approved a new three-year contract with U.S. Steel.

The union said in a statement Friday that the agreement covers more than 16,000 workers in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

The union says the contract provides for 4.5 percent in wage increases over the next three years, and protects health care benefits for retirees.

Columbia Gas seeks 23% rate increaseCANONSBURG — Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania wants the state to approve a 23.4 percent rate hike the utility says will raise $77.3 million a year to help replace aging pipelines.If Friday’s request is approved by the Public Utility Commission, the average residential customer’s monthly bill would rise from $67.17 to $82.92.Columbia says it’s the first natural gas company to file for a rate increase under a new state law that makes it easier for utilities to recover costs of distributing gas.