Qantas workers have seen their "pay, safety and conditions drop to rock-bottom levels", according to union representatives. (ABC News: John Gunn)
Some regional Qantas ground crews have voted in favour of taking industrial action to demand better pay.
The Transport Workers Union says 97 per cent of 350 workers who voted backed industrial action, including work stoppages ranging from one to 24 hours.
The union is required to give three days' notice before a strike.
Some regional Qantas ground handling crews may soon walk off the job after overwhelmingly voting in favour of taking industrial action to demand better pay and conditions.
The Transport Workers Union said 97 per cent of 350 workers who voted backed industrial action, including work stoppages ranging from one hour to 24 hours.
The union is required to give three days' notice before taking industrial action.
"These ground workers don't want to go on strike, but after being sold a false promise that this airline would finally treat them with respect, they've got no other choice," Michael Kaine, the union's national secretary, said.
Airservices Australia, the government-owned organisation responsible for air traffic management, says it reported the "potential traffic conflict" between two Qantas planes to safety authorities on Tuesday.
The workers had seen their "pay, safety and conditions drop to rock-bottom levels", the union said.
The strike threat comes after Qantas's long-haul pilots in early August also voted in favour of industrial action before reaching a wage deal with the airline.
Qantas said in a statement that it was committed to reaching an agreement with its staff that included annual pay rises.
The exact details of the airline's offer were not clear.
"Discussions through the Fair Work Commission have been constructive and negotiations are continuing," it said.
"Our focus is on an agreement that addresses what employees have told us matters most, including pay and more full-time opportunities."
