Delegates from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have voted to enter into negotiations on a new national wage agreement.
The vote in favour of the motion was almost unanimously supported by the more than 350 delegates who attended the special conference at Liberty Hall in Dublin.
Last Monday the largest union, SIPTU, also voted to enter the talks, which could begin as early as next week.
The ICTU wants pay increases at least in line with inflation, with particular help for the lower paid, and to address the gender gap.
They are insisting on better pension provisions, including mandatory contributions to protect workers in retirement.
Equal treatment for agency workers is another key demand to prevent them being used to drive down terms and conditions for direct employees.
ICTU will also be seeking better union representation rates and investment in public services, particularly health, education, childcare and care for the elderly.
Unions will face serious opposition from employers who say they cannot afford to meet union demands and that excessive pay claims will ultimately cost jobs.
Today's conference takes place against a gloomy economic backdrop of rising unemployment and a worsening financial climate.
