Talks will be held this week in a bid to avert a strike by staff at six psychiatric and geriatric hospitals.
Trade union leaders will meet health board management for talks starting tomorrow at the Labour Court.
Ward attendants, who carry out basic medical duties such as changing dressings at the hospitals, have accused management of reneging on a promise to increase their pay by 8%.
Non-nursing staff, such as porters and caterers, at the six Dublin sites - St Mary's, St Ita's, Bru Chaoimhin, Clonskeagh, St Brendan's and St Colmcille's - may also join a walkout in support of the attendants unless the pay rise is given.
SIPTU representatives said staff at five other hospitals had been paid the award following a Labour Court decision in July last year. But the Health Services Employers Agency said the benchmarking programme already addressed the ward-attendants' grievances.
Ward attendants at the six hospitals held a 24-hour stoppage recently.
PA