''It is going to be a really tough for anyone who works at Qantas,'' Stitt says. "I am very concerned about anyone losing their job in Victoria given the current climate.

"There are thousands of people employed by Qantas and Jetstar across the group and I think it is very important to fight for every one of those jobs."

Stitt says the union is always prepared to talk with the airline but has to balance the company's needs against its members' wishes. She says the union will need to assess the company's claim that it needed a wage freeze until it's in profit.

"That is an indefinite claim. We will have to talk that through carefully with our delegates and our members and we expect to get more information about that tomorrow.''

Linda White, assistant national secretary of the ASU, which represents check-in, clerical, finance and administration staff, said Qantas has indicated 1500 ‘‘back office’’ jobs will be lost. She said the company had spoken about the positions ‘‘as if they don’t do anything’’.

She says he union will oppose a staff wage freeze when it meets with Qantas officials tomorrow. More than 60 per cent of the workers earn base salaries of $37,000 to $57,000 and 35 per cent are part time.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Tony Sheldon notes each baggage handler, check-in staff and ramp worker generates a $205,000 return to Qantas above the cost of their employment.

‘‘Sacking them is like a tradesman selling his tools to pay a one-off bill,’’ he says.