The Connect trade union is to commence a ballot of craft workers in hospitals across the country.
The union is accusing the Coombe Hospital of breaching agreed industrial relations procedures which has resulted in the lockout of six union members.
Connect said that hospital management has tried to unilaterally enforce a change to members' terms and conditions of employment.
The dispute is linked to the introduction of new handheld technology, which Connect said is part national discussions between unions and hospital management.
"Rather than adhere to this agreed process, management at the Coombe Hospital have attempted to force this change on our members without agreement," said Connect General Secretary, Paddy Kavanagh.
"As this move by the management in the Coombe Hospital undermines a national agreement, we have been left with no option but to ballot our members throughout this sector on industrial action."
A spokesperson for the Coombe said the hospital has been endeavouring to implement a move away from a paper-based system to the use of digital handheld devices for the assignment of work to maintenance staff and has been engaging with their representatives for over 18 months on the matter.
"The Coombe last communicated with the Connect Trade Union on Friday afternoon, stating that it remains open to engagement and, while we await a response to this communication, that continues to be the case," the spokesperson said.
"The hospital can assure the public that contingency plans are in place to ensure services are uninterrupted while these discussions continue."
The Department of Health said it is disappointed to hear that Connect has announced a ballot for industrial action.
"The Department of Health urges all parties to work on resolving this dispute through the appropriate forums and to uphold industrial peace in the interests of our health service," the department said.
