Qantas engineers may strike

Qantas and Jetstar engineers in Australia plan to walk off the job today, claiming they are overworked and often getting less than four hours sleep between jobs.

The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia (APESMA) says a small group of heavy maintenance engineers from Sydney, Brisbane and Avalon (in Victoria) could strike for up to five business days, with more industrial action planned throughout the month and into January.

APESMA says Qantas is refusing to negotiate a new collective agreement and will not agree to fatigue management demands or company-sponsored professional development and training.

The association's senior industrial officer Alison Rose said the engineers, who provided 24-hour support for the Qantas and Jetstar fleet, were often called during the night after they had already worked an eight-hour shift.

"For example, in a 24-hour period, they might take a number of calls overnight, having done a full day's work ... and not get enough sleep between those jobs," she told Fairfax Radio Network on Thursday.

"So they could be getting less than four or five hours of sleep between each of the calls."

Ms Rose said the strike had been carefully planned to avoid disruption to travellers over the Christmas period.

"There will be minimal if any impact," she said.

"The impact will be felt, obviously, if Qantas doesn't come back to the table and start talking with us again in January."

- AAP