Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) ground workers have voted 97% in favor of industrial action, giving over 600 workers the right to walk off the job in the coming weeks, according to a Tuesday statement by the Transport Workers' Union.

The union said Qantas Ground Services workers are calling for job security, a fair pay rise, and for scattered work groups to be brought back together under a single Qantas banner, with a separate vote on industrial action also soon to commence for over 100 Australian Air Express workers, who form part of another Qantas unit.

In response to MT Newswires' request for comment, a Qantas spokesperson said the company has "well-developed contingency plans" to minimize any impact on customers and operations in the event of industrial action.

The spokesperson added that Qantas is committed to reaching an agreement with its Qantas Ground Services employees that includes annual pay rises, and that negotiations are underway.

The company's shares fell 2% in recent Tuesday trade.