Healthcare assistants, cleaners, porters and catering staff are set to begin a work to rule in 30 hospitals at the end of the month in a dispute over public servants’ pay.

The workers, who are members of Siptu, will join Fórsa members who are also taking part in industrial action from September 30.

They will withdraw from non-rostered overtime.

A Siptu spokesperson said it is part of the union’s campaign to force the government to begin talks on a new public service pay agreement.

Union leaders announced that there was no basis for formal talks last June following exploratory discussions with government officials.

The last wage deal expired at the end of June.

It meant pay rises of up to 10.25pc over two and a half years

The previous agreement covered more than 80,000 Siptu members across the public service. 

The Siptu spokesperson there was an overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action in a ballot counted on August 31.

“Our demand is clear. The Government must come to the negotiating table with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Public Services Committee and begin negotiations on a successor public-service pay agreement,” said Siptu health divisional organiser, Kevin Figgis.

“Our members have made their position clear. They want a new public service pay agreement, and they want Government to engage in a proper negotiating process with the Ictu Public Services Committee.”

He said health workers have repeatedly been asked to do more with less, and work additional hours.

“Our members have suffered from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis the same as other workers,” he said. “They deserve to have pay negotiated on their behalf by union representatives.”

Mr Figgis said the industrial action is not directed at patients or service users.

“The issue before Government is straightforward,” he said. “Public service workers are entitled to have their pay and employment conditions negotiated through their union representatives.

“We are asking Government to stop delaying and come to the table with the ICTU public service unions. If Government wants to avoid further industrial action, there is a very simple solution: come to the table and negotiate.”

He said further actions in the union’s campaign will depend on the Government’s response.

Expenditure minister Jack Chambers has said it would be deeply unfair to the public if there is significant disruption due to industrial action.

He has rejected claims that public servants’ pay has lagged behind inflation.