CLARKSVILLE (AP) — A machinists union has reached an agreement on a new 4-year contract with Trane to avert a possible strike at Clarksville's largest private employer.

The International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 1296 announced the deal Saturday afternoon.

The Leaf-Chronicle reported (http://leafne.ws/VvxyqX) that the union and company agreed to a new 80/20 match Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO (preferred provider organization) Health Insurance Plan effective Jan. 1, 2014, which replaces all current plans.

There will be no change in existing plans or employee premium contributions for the remainder of 2013, and the employee premium contribution does not increase in 2014.

The deal also includes a lump-sum $1,000 bonus, a 20 cents-an-hour raise after the first year and a 40 cents-an-hour raise every year thereafter.

The new contract runs until February 2017.