A powerful Labor-aligned union has sounded the alarm about the low wages and safety issues for staff working in the Cook government’s Containers for Change centres.

The Australian Workers’ Union has lodged a motion to be discussed by party faithful at its state conference this weekend, calling on the Cook government to launch an industry-wide agreement for Containers for Change workers – most of whom receive minimum award wages of $25.65 per hour.

In comments likely to anger his government colleagues, AWU WA Branch Secretary Brad Gandy said the 850 container collection depot workers faced worse conditions and lesser pay than Coles or Woolworths workers.

“Workers in the Containers for Change scheme work tirelessly sorting and recycling cans, containers and bottles, keeping our community

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