Results of a ballot on strike action by 750 SIPTU members of Forfas, the advisory board for IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, are expected to be known later today.

The ballot has arisen out of a dispute over the restructuring of grades following the formation of Enterprise Ireland from Forbairt, An Bord Trachtala, and part of FAS last July. Ms Patricia King, SIPTU branch secretary, said last night that members, who were Forfas employees, had been "seconded" to Enterprise Ireland.

"Successive governments have failed to deal with the fact that there are huge grading difficulties," she said.

Enterprise Ireland's chief executive, Mr Dan Flinter, said the management was seeking a simplification of grades, creating between eight and 10 levels.