Fórsa members working in HSE and Section 38 hospitals, including in the north west have voted to approve the proposals to address the non-filling and delayed filling of vacant and suppressed health posts.

Section 39 organisations are privately owned charities and agencies that are contracted by the State to provide healthcare services.

In March, unions had served notice of industrial action to the HSE, in an escalation in the dispute over the effect of the 'Pay and Numbers' strategy.

Sligo Fórsa union representative, Pat Fallon is hopeful that the approval will mark a reset on how they engage with the HSE.