Maine shipyard union workers ratify contract

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Shipbuilders who are represented by the Machinists union have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract that includes pension enhancements and wage increases.

The agreement was approved Sunday by a 1,610-342 vote, which was conducted at the Augusta Civic Center.

Machinists spokesman John Carr says it's a solid contract that's the best in the shipbuilding industry. Carr says the workers will receive a $3,000 bonus, in addition to pay increases. Averaged out over the work force, the pay increase will be 6.145 percent in the first year; by the fourth year, the increase will be 11.25 percent over the old contract.

The old contract expired Sunday.

BIW spokesman Jim DeMartini said before the vote that the agreement calls for "competitive wages and benefits."