Fisheries protection officers with the Southern Regional Fisheries Board have voted for industrial action.
Up to 30 officers were balloted following the suspension recently without pay of three of their colleagues for refusing to drive patrol vehicles marked with the Southern Regional Fisheries Board logo. The officers claimed the marked vehicles posed a risk to their safety, exposing them as a target for attacks in particular areas.
The fisheries board, which introduced the logos in January, said they were "an important element in increasing awareness of the vital work of the board in conservation, fishery protection and tourism development".
SIPTU branch secretary, Mr Nicholas Parker, said officers had voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
The chief executive of the fisheries board, Mr Brian Sheerin, said he was disappointed at the result of the ballot.
Talks will continue at the Labour Relations Commission today.