The US Navy needs more ships. The workers building them are winning bigger paychecks.

"I think overall, it'll bring the industry back to where it needs to be," one union official said of recent contract wins. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Melseth Shipbuilding workers in California and Maine won big union contracts for more pay and better benefits. Union members said the gains would help attract and keep more skilled workers. Shipbuilders need experienced workers to meet the Navy's needs for more ships. The US Navy needs more from the American shipbuilding industry, which depends on skilled workers. Recent contract wins by shipbuilding unions in California and Maine are delivering better pay, better benefits, and more structured approaches to the introduction of new technologies into shipyards. Shipbuilders and union leaders told Business Insider the improvements would help attract and retain skilled workers as the Navy and industry race to rebuild and revive America's shipbuilding capacity.