Baggage handlers at Qantas are planning a go-slow over Christmas in protest against being forced to carry heavier bags.
New rules introduced by the airline mean from June domestic passengers will only be allowed one check-in bag rather than spreading the load across multiple bags.
The Transport Workers Union are concerned the new rules will force people to pack one heavy bag, burdening baggage handlers who lift around 350 bags a day.
As a result the baggage handlers are staging a go-slow which they are planning to escalate over the Christmas period.
The national secretary of the TWU, Tony Sheldon, said he stood by members who ''refused to put themselves in immediate danger and exercise their rights not to join the growing army of Qantas and Jetstar wounded''.