For the first time in 45 years, Qantas pilots are preparing for industrial action. A ballot of up to 1,700 long-haul pilots will be carried out to determine the type of industrial action the pilots are to take.

The strike action is

a result of pay di sputes and concerns for job security. It will take about two to three weeks for a decision to be made, which could result in pilots stopping work for up to two days.

Richard Woodward, vice-president of the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), said the industrial action - if endorsed by its members - could include working to contract obligations and stop-work meetings.

"We hope not to disrupt the passengers, that's the last resort for us," he told reporters in Sydney.

"We will try and give them plenty of notice if we have to take extreme action."

Barry Jackson, the president of the pilots' union, said it had not taken lightly the decision to pursue industrial action.

''The current Qantas management seems intent on outshoring and offshoring.

Simply put, we believe when someone purchases a Qantas ticket on a Qantas flight they are entitled to a Qantas pilot in the cockpit,'' he said A Qantas spokesperson said the airline is "extremely disappointed that the pilots' union are prepared to go on strike causing significant disruptions to our customers rather than engaging in sensible and reasonable negotiations".

Qantas pilots and management have been in negotiations since late last year, but no agreement has been reached.

Among the issues in contention is a call for wage increases, with AIPA pushing for a rise of 2.5% over three years.

A spokesman for Qantas said the actual amount is equivalent to 26%, when taking into consideration such aspects as travel perks.

The move follows threats by Qantas engineers to also walk off the job, after negotiations over pay and conditions stalled.