The company that operates Ireland’s speed cameras has said it will minimise disruption caused by a strike over the Bank Holiday weekend.

More than half of GoSafe's speed vans will be off the road for 72 hours from 9am tomorrow morning.

The dispute centres on working conditions and union recognition – with workers warning they can be stuck in their vans for 11 straight hours per shift.

GoSafe said safety cameras will be working this weekend despite the strike – insisting it “moved early” to minimise disruption.

Speed camera strike

The strike follows similar action last month, when operators downed tools for 24 hours.

SIPTU Organiser Brendan Carr said the dispute has been running for a number of years and said management had refused to engage with staff over “very, very serious health and safety issues.”

“We have no choice but to do this,” he said.

“We are hoping that people will recognise the role that these play in road safety.

“I think after this weekend, people will start to turn around and say they do play a role and they should be treated with a bit of respect in the workplace.”

Speed concious

Meanwhile, motorists are being warned not to take advantage of the strike.

Fianna Fáil transport spokesman Marc MacSharry said Gardaí will be “redoubling efforts to fill any gaps that there may be in the network nationally.”

“We all need to more conscious of our speed – myself indeed included – and we all have to be conscious about having respect for other on our roads,” he said.

He called for last-minute talks to prevent the strikes.

“Negotiation is the best way to solve these problems,” he said.

“There is always a solution when there is an industrial dispute and I think the company should liaise with the union and try, even at this late stage, to avoid the strikes.”