Speed-camera workers to give Christmas motorists a heads up

Mobile-speed-camera workers will warn motorists they are approaching a speed trap and occasionally switch off their cameras as an unresolved pay dispute with the cameras’ private operator drags on.

The Community and Public Sector Union said mobile camera operators would kick off protected industrial actions on Saturday, including switching cameras off for up to 14 minutes at a time and displaying signs outside their cars saying: “Camera Car Ahead / Slow Down for Safety”.

Mobile-speed-camera workers are locked in a pay dispute with Serco.Credit: Wayne Taylor

The union action will ramp up to an unlimited number of 30-minute work stoppages on Christmas Day, as workers push for a pay rise from multinational government services giant Serco.

Serco, which operates the cameras for Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, is also facing strike action from Australian Services Union members who work in its traffic camera headquarters in Tullamarine.

The ASU said Serco had responded to one-hour strikes planned for next week by threatening to lock workers out and not pay them.

A letter that Serco sent employees on Thursday states the company “will not accept the performance of any work” by employees who take part in one-hour work bans planned for next Wednesday and Thursday.

“You will not be permitted to work, and will not be entitled to any payment, until you are prepared to perform all of your normal duties,” the letter – seen by The Age – says.

ASU Victorian private sector branch secretary Imogen Sturni said the proposed one-hour strikes included not conducting radio safety checks to camera operators, but would not affect road safety measures and speeding incidents would still be documented.

However, she said it wasn’t clear how cameras would be able to operate at all if those workers were locked out for their entire shifts next week.

“Serco has opted for a nuclear response that is totally out of proportion to the planned industrial action, which would have comprised of short work stoppages,” Sturni said.

“Serco’s response is designed to hurt our members, who are there to make the roads safer for everyone by ensuring compliance with speed limits.”

A Serco spokesperson said it had been negotiating with workers in good faith and denied there was a “lockout”.

“We had hoped to resolve this issue this week so that our operators could enjoy Christmas without these worries hanging over them,” they said. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach agreement with the unions.”

Secro had “operational response plans ready to implement to ensure safety is maintained throughout the holiday season”, the spokesperson said.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said the dispute was “a matter for Serco and their staff”.

“We expect all parties to negotiate in good faith and resolve disputes,” they said.

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