The Labour Court has recommended pay increases for health support staff, according to SIPTU.
The union says the court has issued two recommendations as part of efforts to resolve a dispute over pay and a job evaluation scheme - and members will now be balloted on the proposals.
SIPTU says the recommendations would see members whose jobs were evaluated under the scheme receive pay increases ranging from 6% to 13%.
For staff yet to go through the evaluation process there would be specific deadlines for the process to be completed.
Meanwhile, a separate recommendation for hospital chef proposes a 12 week 'proactive process' between the union and HSE - overseen by the Workplace Relations Commission - to address pay issues.
In a statement, SIPTU health division organiser Paul Bell suggested the Labour Court has recommended 'significant' pay increases from September 1st.
He said: “Union representatives will continue to assess the detail of the recommendations.
"The final decision is in the hands of our membership, who will be balloted on the terms of the recommendation."
Balloting is due to get underway next week, and conclude on September 18th.
Around 10,000 support workers - including care assistants, lab aids, hospital theatre workers, porters and cleaners - and chefs from 38 hospitals and health centres are involved in the dispute.
It revolves around the job evaluation scheme which the workers took part in under the Public Service Pay Agreement.
The evaluation found the staff are underpaid and should be shifted to a higher band.
However, unions have claimed the Government has failed to live up to their commitments under the agreement.
Thousands of surgeries and appointments were cancelled when the workers involved took to the picket lines for the first 24-hour strike in June.
However, further planned strike days were called off to allow for a Labour Court hearing.
