A major union is threatening strike action after Qantas announced it is axing 5000 jobs over three years.
Transport Workers Union national secretary Tony Sheldon has called on the federal government to meet with the airline to find ways of avoiding the job cuts.
"But if (Treasurer) Joe Hockey's not prepared to do that, then it's industrial action that the workforce should be considering," Mr Sheldon told reporters in Sydney.
"In this country, if the government won't stand up for jobs and for the Australian icon, then we will."
He said it was "laughable" to see the company's executives saying they won't take more wage increases.
"This is the third time (they've said this) since 2010 and they've paid themselves an 82 per cent wage increase," he said.
Mr Sheldon labelled the announcement of job cuts "Joe Hockey's wet dream" and accused the government of working against the national interest.
He urged the government to drop its desire to get rid of the Qantas Sale Act, which limits foreign ownership of the airline.
"Do we want Qantas to be (like the Russian plane) Aeroflot with a Kangaroo on its tail?" he said.
"Do we want Qantas to turn around and not be the national icon anymore?"
