The Irish Nurses Organisation is seeking ICTU sanction for industrial action by the group of unions at the Dublin Institute of Technology in support of strike action by nurses at Aungier Street, one of the DIT's component colleges.
If granted, it could mean massive disruption for the State's largest education establishment, especially if the nurses' action is backed by the pivotal DIT union, the Teachers' Union of Ireland, which represents lecturers.
The two other DIT unions, MSF and IMPACT, are expected to be sympathetic to the nurses' demands. MSF represents laboratory technicians and IMPACT clerical workers.
The dispute involves the refusal by the DIT to give permanent status to its four temporary nurses contrary to the terms of a national agreement with the Department of Education on the employment of nurses at institutes of technology, according to the INO's deputy general secretary, Mr Dave Hughes.
"The temporary nurses have served between four and seven years each at the the DIT colleges," said Mr Hughes. "This means they have no entitlement to sick pay or pension benefits, are laid off without pay each summer and are denied agreed rates of pay for college nurses nationally."
There are two permanent nursing posts to be filled under the agreement from the four "long-term temporary candidates at present working at the DIT. The INO is incensed that instead of filling the vacant nursing posts, the institute sought permission from the Department instead to employ more student counsellors.