Workers at the National Aquatic Centre have voted for industrial action in a dispute which could lead to unannounced work stoppages and day-long strikes at the centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
According to Siptu branch organiser John Flannery, workers' grievances centre on management's decision to reduce lifeguards' hours of work, in addition to the refusal of Dublin Waterworld Limited (DWL), which operates the centre, to recognise Siptu.
Siptu also claims that four people were "wrongfully dismissed" over the last two years.
Mr Flannery said the union would be serving notice of industrial action on the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) following its recent balloting of members.
"The NAC has been in operation for just three years. DWL, the off-the-shelf company which runs the centre for the Government, received €1.2 million insurance compensation for a storm-damaged roof, but declined to share any of this money with the employees who were laid off for five months while repairs were carried out," he said.
"The form of industrial action to be taken is likely to include a ban on overtime, a work to rule, unannounced work stoppages of short duration and/or an all-out strike which will include placing pickets on the centre."
However, director of the National Aquatic Centre Kieran Ruttledge said the company did not recognise Siptu and had implemented its own procedures and processes through which workers could air their grievances.
"We weren't told that they intended to ballot for industrial action and we would be very surprised if they did opt for such action," he said.
Mr Ruttledge said any reductions in staffing were due to the end of the summer season and would only affect non-contract workers brought in as seasonal staff.