Lecturers at Waterford Institute of Technology and IT Carlow are to take industrial action.
The academic staff at both colleges who are members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland have voted for a work-to-rule over management plans to apply for Technological University designation.
TUI members believe there has been a lack of engagement, information and consultation in the process.
"To date we as academic staff representatives have not had one single meeting with our management to inform us about these plans or to consult with us about any aspect that this new entity, a Technological University, is supposed to take. This is not acceptable to our members," Kathleen Moore Walsh, the WIT TUI Branch Secretary, said.
Ms Moore Walsh cited a similar process in Dublin for DIT, Tallaght and Blanchardstown who recently submitted a successful TU application, saying there was a meaningful information and consultation process there.
"A merger of WIT and IT Carlow requires a similar process of engagement for a successful application", Claus Derenda, IT Carlow Branch Chair, said.
The President of WIT Professor Willie Donnelly says they are fully committed to working with the union to reach a resolution, saying WIT and IT Carlow have been working collectively on an application for Technological University.
"We have made a submission to the Higher Education Authority to support the development of an application for and to support the release of unions’ members from their normal workload to engage in the TU development process.At a staff information session at the start of the academic year I publicly stated my commitment to ensure that all staff have an opportunity to help shape the new TU environment. I remain committed to that view," Mr Donnelly said.
