Fórsa has begun a ballot of more than 90,000 members working in the public sector to see if they are willing to take industrial action over pay.
The union said the ballot comes after the failure of preliminary talks with the Government to establish a basis for a successor deal to the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 which expired at the end of June.
Fórsa said exploratory engagements in June did not provide sufficient assurance that a new agreement would address the cost-of-living pressures facing public service workers.
The union’s national committee has recommended a vote in favour of industrial action.
The ballot will remain open until 1 September.
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “The previous agreement has now expired, and there is no successor in place. That means there is no framework governing pay or wider workplace arrangements at a national level.
“Fórsa members are dealing with sustained increases in the cost of living, and the absence of an agreement creates real uncertainty about how their living standards will be protected in the period ahead.
“This ballot gives members the opportunity to have their say on how we respond. It is a necessary step to ensure Fórsa members’ voices are heard and their interests are defended.”
