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

The agreement approved Sunday by a 1,610-342 vote is the best in the industry, according to Machinists spokesman John Carr.

"We truly know it's the industry leader in shipbuilding," Carr said. The workers will receive a $3,000 bonus, in addition to pay increases. Averaged out over the workforce, the pay increase will be 6.145 percent in the first year, and by the fourth year, the increase will be 11.25 percent over the old contract.

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