Dublin motorists received a brief reprieve yesterday when almost 70 clampers occupied the Control Plus depot at new Wapping Street in protest at new rosters, writes Padraig Yeates. The Garda Siochana's Traffic Division feared for its "Operation Artery" initiative to keep rush hour traffic moving as a result, but the clampers returned to work by tea time.
Although the protest by clampers was sparked by new rosters, it reflected frustration over delays in negotiating a new agreement. SIPTU branch secretary Mr Paul Smith said that he had been recruiting clampers since August but had only been able to secure a meeting tomorrow.
When new rosters were introduced without consultation yesterday clampers refused to leave the yard. Mr Brendan O'Reilly of NTCS, whose company has agreed to meet SIPTU tomorrow, denied his company did not want to recognise trade unions. Control Plus declined to answer press queries and referred journalists to Dublin Corporation. At tomorrow's meeting SIPTU is likely to raise issues of annual leave and claims for clampers assaulted by members of the public, as well as pay and conditions. Currently most clampers earn between £6 and £7 an hour.