Siptu says it's now 'very likely' that 10,000 HSE support staff will go ahead, with planned industrial action on Thursday.
Talks aimed at preventing them from going on strike broken down this evening at the Workplace Relations Commission.
The row over a job-evaluation scheme and pay grades was being discussed between Siptu, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure.
Siptu's Paul Bell says chefs, porters and healthcare assistants will now almost certainly strike on Thursday.
He said: "We are disappointed that it has come to this, but the Department of Public Expenditure attended the talks today with the Health Service Executive, and put little or no proposals forward to even defer the dispute, so we can progress the matter".
He added: "There will be some discussion about a limited amount of contingency, but that would have to be agreed locally as identified as required."
In a statement, the HSE confirms the talks ended without agreement today.
A spokesperson added: "As agreement could not be reached, Siptu’s formal notification of a 24-hour full withdrawal of labour will now commence at normal shift starting time on Thursday, June 20.
"With regard to the matter of contingency arrangements, Siptu have indicated that they will commence a process of engagement with hospital management at individual workplace level."
