General Dynamics shipyard workers voted in favor of a new contract at Bath Iron Works in Maine, as their Electric Boat peers in Connecticut gird for negotiations in advance of a contract expiration in late September.

General Dynamics builds submarines in Groton and destroyers in Maine, as well as auxiliary naval ships at its Nassco shipyard in San Diego. Last week, Electric Boat laid the keel for the future USS Tang at its auxiliary shipyard in Quonset Point, R.I., which does not have union representation for workers. The Groton shipyard will complete construction of the Virginia-class attack sub.

BIW workers went on strike for two months during the summer of 2020. For the new contract, the International Association of Machinists negotiated pay raises between 2.6 percent and 9.6 percent on average in the first year of the new contract, factoring in a mid-contract wage adjustment that was already in effect for some union members. Workers will get a 5 percent bump in the second year and 4 percent in the final year of the contract.

IAM Local S6 also negotiated increased retirement benefits contributions from General Dynamics, which will contribute 35 cents for every dollar set by workers into 401(k) accounts next year, capped at 5 percent of earnings. Corporate 401(k) contributions rise to 40 cents in 2025 and 45 cents the final year of the contract.

Just over seven in 10 union members voted to accept the contract.

In Groton, negotiations are underway between Electric Boat and multiple unions affiliated with the Metal Trades Council of New London County. The contract is set to expire on Sept. 29, with the document running more than 200 pages covering everything from base pay to policies for workers who participate in sea trials of submarines.