JOLIET – Officials with Caterpillar Inc. say union members have ratified a new contract after spending months on the picket line.

Caterpillar officials said Friday that the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted to approve the new proposal. Company and union officials worked out the deal with a federal mediator earlier this week. The union represents about 780 workers who have been on strike at the company's Joliet plant since early May.

Caterpillar officials described the agreement as a "competitive wage and benefits package."