Strikes of limited or indefinite duration could take place in parts of the civil service from Monday week following a dramatic escalation of the current industrial action over Government pay cuts.
The Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU) this evening served formal strike notice on the Government.
The CPSU has warned of selective strike action of indefinite duration in some cases and for limited periods in others to take effect from Monday, March 15th.
It is also to introduce ban on overtime.
The union said that individual Government departments would be advised of the exact nature and scope of the strike action in due course.
Areas that could be hit as part of the new strike action include the Revenue Commissioners, the Passport Office, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Oireachtas.
Other public service unions will consider escalation of their industrial action campaigns in protest at the pay cuts when the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions meets on Monday.
Impact and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have proposedrolling work stoppages across the civil and public service.