Over 500 workers at Shannon Airport will be notified today of a ballot with a view to all-out strike action amid claims that the new airport authority is making changes without consultation or agreement.
The changes proposed are believed to include outsourcing of the currently profitable catering operation and the franchising out of aspects of security.
Management at the airport has held a number of meetings with staff to outline plans including the possible outsourcing of catering operations.
However, no discussions have taken place to date with unions. Siptu represents most of the airport's staff and about 500 members are eligible to take part in next week's ballot.
The union has already expressed opposition to any job cuts, given that staff were given assurances about job security in the wake of the break-up of Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports into separate entities