Dublin's clampers are expected to resume their unofficial strike action this morning, but their employer, Central Parking Systems, has warned the city's motorists that emergency crews will be out to clamp or tow away vehicles illegally parked.
The company's managing director, Mr Neil Cunningham, estimates that a 60 per cent service will be provided to Dublin City Council despite the strike.
The company is also hopeful that at least some of the strikers will return to work.
However, there is a possibility that pickets could be mounted this morning on the council's cleaning depots.
Many of the clampers are former council employees, and if council staff refuse to pass pickets, street-cleaning, refuse collection and other services could be affected.
Industrial relations at Central Parking Systems have been poor in the past and last week they boiled over again when almost 100 general operatives took action after nearly all internal applicants for supervisory posts were passed over in favour of external candidates.
When the strikers mounted heavy pickets on the company's pound in New Wapping Street, Central Parking obtained an interim injunction from the High Court preventing staff "from watching, besetting, picketing or interfering with access to the company's premises".
Yesterday a SIPTU branch secretary, Mr Paul Smith, said he had tried to persuade members to return to work while talks took place but it was difficult because the company had not honoured commitments to put in place transparent interview procedures for staff.