Qantas workers would likely strike themselves out of long-term jobs if mooted strike action goes ahead, Employment Minister Eric Abetz says.
Strike action by Qantas employees would make a very bad situation much worse, Senator Abetz said.
"I would simply ask them what will the strike action do? In every likelihood a strike action will make a very, very bad situation for Qantas just so much worse," Senator Abetz told reporters in Melbourne.
"They may well be striking themselves out of long-term jobs."
The Transport Workers Union has called on the federal government to meet with the airline to find ways to avoid its planned 5000 job cuts, saying otherwise the workforce should consider industrial action.
Senator Abetz urged the union to think about the long-term consequences of a strike and instead of striking sit down with Qantas and negotiate.
