Proceedings took a turn toward the surreal during the latest round of negotiations between pilots at Qantas and officials from the airline, with two union representatives standing to observe a minute’s silence while the Last Post was played.

The incident, which occurred during a Fair Work Australia hearing earlier, was branded a “new low” by the furious airline.

“Using the Last Post to make a point during a pay dispute is a new low,” Qantas said in a statement on Monday.

“Qantas management are appalled at this disrespectful act and are currently investigating.”

The row erupted after the Last Post was plated over the public announcement system at a maintenance facility at Melbourne Airport during a 60-second strike on Friday.

However, the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) maintains it is unaware of the Last Post being played.

The airline though says two ALAEA representatives stood and observed a minute’s silence while the Last Post was played at the facility.