Some 250 workers at St Anne's Centre for people with intellectual disabilities in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, have voted in favour of balloting for industrial action following a meeting of employees on Tuesday night.
Siptu members, including care, clerical and maintenance staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of balloting for industrial action in a row over what has been described as "major industrial relations problems".
Siptu will now ballot each of their union members over the coming week, starting today and concluding on January 31st.
"Workers have agreed to ballot for industrial action, up to and including all-out strike," a Siptu spokesperson stated.
While the union declined to elaborate on its reasons for the action, it is understood workers are concerned about possible changes in working conditions under a proposed new management.
The centre is currently operated under the auspices of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and the Health Service Executive but there are plans in the pipeline for a takeover of the facility by the Daughters of Charity, who also run a similar centre for people with intellectual difficulties in Lisnagry on the outskirts of Limerick city.
St Anne's centre caters for residential and daycare patients from north Tipperary and surrounding counties. It also offers respite and outreach services.
The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary was an international congregation of Nuns of French origin founded by Fr Victor Braun in 1866, and first came to Roscrea in 1930. For a number of years the sisters operated a "Home for Unmarried Mothers", at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea before St Anne's was established in 1970 and the sisters commenced caring for children with special needs.