A union believes the next step for NHS Tayside is to sack on-strike staff as industrial action at Ninewells and Victoria hospitals enters its second month.
Unite regional coordinating officer Colin Coupar said such action would prompt a ballot of all 2,000 NHS Tayside members, which could cause a crisis and said health secretary Shona Robison will have to intervene.
Mr Coupar said: “Whether or not that is acceptable will be up to Shona Robison.
“NHS Tayside is just hell-bent on beating us into the ground and they will make a move to dismiss the porters. But ultimately, it will be a political choice.”
Unite insists there has been no communiction with NHS Tayside as 117 porters remain on indefinite stoppage and other workers, including senior management, complete porter duties voluntarily.
Dougie Maguire, representing Unite, said the silence from NHS Tayside “is deafening”.
He added: “We are in a position where we are willing to speak and keen to resolve this dispute.
“There has been no contact with any members of senior management.
“Speaking to the porters, they have said they are determined to continue with the strike because they feel management has disrespected their position.”
An NHS Tayside spokesman said: “We have a proposal agreed by both NHS Tayside and Unite in the hope that a resolution can be achieved in partnership.”
He added: “Despite Unite’s stance, we would like to reassure our patients and their families that patient safety, care and treatment will always be our priority. There are detailed plans in place to ensure our services continue to run in a safe and effective way.”