Around 28,000 health staff are to begin a campaign of action from tomorrow, refusing to cover posts left vacant by the Health Service Executive recruitment freeze.
The action will include a ban on all non-emergency overtime, out of hours work and co-operation with HSE reforms.
The staff involved will include managers and administrators in the HSE. A national lunchtime protest is also planned for 11 June.
IMPACT trade union says the action is in response to the HSE's recruitment restrictions on staff and services, which has resulted in 2,700 vital jobs not being filled.
The union says the HSE's freeze is hurting existing services and preventing the implementation of promised improvements in areas like primary care, disability services, mental health services and care for older people.
Kevin Callinan, the union's national secretary for health and welfare, said it is a very serious situation.
IMPACT, which also represents therapists, social care workers and other health staff, says its action will minimise the effect on patients but will target the HSE bureaucracy.
It is also threatening other forms of action, including work stoppages.
