The soldiers' representative group, PDFORRA, has complained that its elected representatives are being victimised and marginalised at barrack level around the country.
It has called on Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea to tackle the issue as a matter of urgency.
At the annual conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association in Tralee, General Secretary Gerry Rooney said representatives who are doing their job should not suffer disadvantage in the workplace.
Mr Rooney warned that his association would take victimisation claims to the courts if a code of practice cannot be worked out.
Simon Devereux of PDFORRA said the Department of Finance has been ignoring its claims on pay and allowances because soldiers cannot take industrial action.
He said three recent claims were conceded at adjudication level after initially being turned down by the department.
Mr Devereux said it was unhelpful that his association cannot have a constructive relationship with the Department of Finance.
