Staff at Cadbury’s in Dublin have voted to strike next week.
The two unions representing workers at the factory, Siptu and Unite, have issued notice of the industrial action which is due to fall on Thursday and will involve the "full withdrawal of labour for an indefinite duration".
The dispute centres on a recent Labour Court recommendation to outsource 17 jobs in the factory's stores section.
Unite organiser Richie Browne said even though this was rejected by workers, Cadbury's owner Mondelez has decided to unilaterally implement it.
Mr Browne described the move as “highly unusual” and said the unions had been prepared to discuss delivering efficiencies in the area through alternative means.
Both sides are understood to be prepared to discuss the standoff but no formal arrangements have yet been put in place.
The company could not be contacted for comment on Thursday night.
If it proceeds, 330 production staff at the Coolock facility will down tools from 7am next Thursday.
