The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) will today launch a national campaign to keep Qantas from cutting its maintenance workforce and moving operations to China.

"There is no justification for the company sending this work to China or slashing 2,500 jobs here in a bid to increase profits. The campaign will have community, political and industrial elements," AMWU national secretary Doug Cameron says.

The campaign will be launched at a rally outside Qantas corporate headquarters in Melbourne attended by 400 AMWU delegates from across Victoria.

"We know people overwhelmingly don't want Qantas to slash its maintenance staff and we will be calling on all Australians to send a clear message to the company," continued Cameron.