A peak industry group is lashing Jetstar workers, as 250 baggage handlers and ground crew walked off the job around the country on Wednesday in their pay battle with the budget carrier.

The Transport Workers Union is pushing for a guaranteed 30 hour work week, with 12-hour breaks between shifts, and an annual four per-cent pay rise.

Jetstar has cancelled 48 domestic flights, in an attempt to minimise disruption, including two Melbourne-Hobart services; Launceston airport is unaffected. 

The Tourism and Transport Forum's Margy Osmond is less than impressed.

"We're appalled by the prospect of this strike action," she said. 

"It's completely unAustralian at a time when the tourism industry across the board is on its knees after the impact of bushfires and the coronavirus." 

But TWU President John Berger says Jetstar's refusal to negotiate is to blame. 

"In early February we sat around the table and tried to hammer out a deal, but Jetstar just dropped an agreement on us," he said. 

"It's blackmailing our members with backpay to accept that agreement which is less than the standard they currently enjoy."