It follows claims that Qantas is planning to employ more overseas pilots.
Qantas rejects pilots union job fears
Qantas has rejected claims that the jobs of its pilots are under threat, after a union threatened strike action.
Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) president Barry Jackson on Thursday said a meeting with airline management had failed to resolve key issues, including fears about the
offshoring of jobs.
But Qantas said pilot concerns about job security were unfounded and warned that any industrial action would hurt its business and passengers.
"Qantas has not made a pilot redundant in almost 40 years and there is no threat to the job security of our pilots," it said in a statement.
The strike threat comes amid ongoing negotiations between pilots and Qantas management over a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) for international pilots.
"The threat of industrial action is part of the unions posturing to get increased wages and conditions for international pilots as part of the EBA negotiations and to limit the ability of Qantas
group to compete with other airlines," the airline said.
AIPA members will meet in Sydney on Friday and in Melbourne on Monday and the union says it is ready to take industrial action in pursuit of its claims.
"All our claims are based around job security and career progression, tying ourselves with the Qantas brand," Mr Jackson told AAP.
"After all, that's what we joined Qantas for."
The union has said it is prepared to limit wage claims for long-haul mainline pilots to 2.5 per cent a year in return for job guarantees with Qantas.
"We have been informed that regardless of any efficiencies we are willing to provide, no formal job security provision will ever be given," Mr Jackson said.
"In other words, no matter how low you go, we will always look for someone cheaper."
However, Qantas challenged the 2.5 per cent wage claim figure, saying the overall number would be much more.
"The combined effect of the wage claim, classification table and travel claims submitted by AIPA is a cost increase of approximately 26 per cent over three years, equivalent to an 8.15 per cent
increase year-on-year," it said.
The upcoming pilots' meetings will gauge their support for future industrial action.
"It probably won't happen anytime soon but we're taking it to the members over the next day or two," Mr Jackson said.
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