Prison Officers are to engage in a one-hour stoppage on 30 November because of concerns over the implementation of new security screening measures.
The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the National Executive of the Prison Officers' Association.
It is understood that ballots were counted in advance of the meeting and that 90% of members voted in favour of industrial action.
The POA is concerned that the security screening measures at the State's 12 closed prisons would take place before staff started their shift.
Security screening of prison officers is planned in response to concerns that contraband is being smuggled into prisons.
The plan is to have visitors and prison staff pass through a screening point with a metal detector, and a passive drug dog. Some would then be selected for random more thorough searches.
The Prison Service wants the measures in place within the next 12 months.
The POA is believed to support the introduction of the new measures, but feels that the Prison Service is implementing them without consultation.
The Director General of the Irish Prison Service has described proposed industrial action as a clear breach of the national pay agreement, but says that the Prison Service remains available for discussions.
Brian Purcell said the action would breach the terms of "Towards 2016".
He said that the agreement says staff should cooperate pending arbitration.
In a statement the Prison Service said that officers already benefit from a ten-minute grace period.
