BlueScope workers have backed a deal to cut 500 jobs and freeze wages for three years in order to keep the Port Kembla steelworks open.
The Australian Financial Review reported that 95 per cent of workers voted in favour of the deal between the Australian Workers Union and BlueScope.
"Today was a vote as to whether or not the steelworks stays open or whether it shuts. It required courage for the result to go the way it did today. It's a tough moment, no doubt, but I'm at least satisfied that workers have voted to fight another day," the AWU’s Wayne Phillips told The AFR.
It includes 300 manufacturing jobs and 200 support and service jobs being shed, as well as overtime cuts and other savings, according to AAP.
“I feel that the positive vote from employees today is a significant step-change improvement in our workplace — one that will result in a more cost efficient and flexible steelworks,” Paul O’Malley, BlueScope’s CEO, told The Australian.