Calls for a national day of strike action from NSW union members have been blocked in favour of a community campaign during a fractious "bust the budget" meeting on Thursday.

Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon faced a minor revolt from the crowd of several hundred as he defended his original resolution, which centred on rallies, petitions and letter writing.

National Tertiary Education Union member Susan Price wanted more, calling for the council of unions to back a national day of industrial action, similar to the 1976 general strike against changes to Medibank.

"That's the kind of fight we need today," she said, following several similar demands from others.

The amendment was seconded but Mr Lennon refused to allow a vote on it, arguing that while industrial action was always an option, one amendment would quickly become several.