Steel workers in the Illawarra have voted to ratify a new enterprise agreement and forfeit working conditions, to keep BlueScope's Port Kembla plant open.
The agreement will trigger 500 job losses, a three-year pay freeze and the loss of various conditions for employees.
More than 1000 workers voted through a secret ballot on Monday and Tuesday, ordered by the Fair Work Commission.
"I'm glad overall that workers realised steel workers have to stick together," Australian Workers Union South Coast Branch Secretary Wayne Phillips said.
"No one likes the agreement, it's not the best thing they've ever done, but in this particular time period, it's the only thing we could have done.
"Whilst I don't think everyone should be clapping their hands I just think that we need to realise it's hard times, the industry is in a bit of a crisis, and members made the right decision," he said.
Mr Phillips said he expects all 220 shop floor redundancies will be voluntary.
"I understand we have about 15 people who are left without a role at this particular point in time, so I'm sure they can be accommodated, but no one out of this whole process have been forced out of a job," he said.
"While it's sad to lose 200 members, it's much better when those positions go on a voluntary means not a forced means."
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