The construction sector faces possible widespread industrial disruption from next week after crane operators decided to extend their dispute to all firms belonging to the Construction Industry Federation.
Up to now Unite - which represents the crane operators - had only balloted those employed by agencies and non-CIF firms, though even that limited ballot resulted in the rolling closure of a number of sites last week and today.
Unite Regional Organiser Tom Fitzgerald confirmed this evening that members have now voted almost unanimously to extend the rolling strike action to CIF firms.
Mr Fitzgerald said that there had been a 70% turnout, and only one vote had been against.
He said that the union would serve notice of industrial action on the CIF tomorrow morning, with widespread disruption possible once the notice period expired in the middle of next week.
The Construction Industry Federation has previously described the Unite pay claim for crane operators as unsustainable, and the industrial action which has already closed a number of sites as irresponsible.
Mr Fitzgerald confirmed that tomorrow there will be pickets on the Duggan construction site in Dublin's College Green.
Unite had planned to picket the John Paul site at the Trinity Hotel but said they were calling it off because of a positive response from the company, two of whose sites have already experienced a shutdown.
An increasingly bitter dispute between SIPTU and Unite as to who is entitled to represent the crane operators remains unresolved.
The outcome of an Irish Congress of Trade Unions disputes committee hearing is awaited.
SIPTU has warned that the Unite claim could unravel a complex system of pay relativities in the sector.
