‘Unsafe’ conditions, low pay: The problem with WA’s Containers for Change

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 clean, but experience pay and conditions that are some of the lowest in Western Australia,” he said.

“These workers are frequently exposed to broken glass, sharps, excessive noise, repetitive strain injury and traffic, but are paid less than other workers in similar jobs such as retail and warehousing.

“Workers at Bunnings are paid significantly higher wages than these workers who are performing such an essential task, and it simply isn’t good enough.

“The AWU is calling upon the Cook Labor Government to put their money where their mouth is and support our push for an industry-wide agreement or contract to ensure Containers for Change workers are properly remunerated and protected at work.”

The former McGowan government devised the Containers for Change scheme through the creation of the WA Return Recycle Renew organisation.

As of September, more than 4.5 billion containers had been collected in WA since the scheme launched in 2020. The Cook government considers it a raging success with an expansion planned to take wine and spirit bottles from next year.

WA Return Recycle Renew chief executive Tim Cusack said the containers for change network included 65 individual businesses, and it was their legal responsibility to ensure staffing and awards were correct for individual circumstances.

He said the organisation had several checks and balances in place as part of its governance and ethical sourcing practices, including refund-point agreements with businesses that stipulate safety compliance.

“The agreements also ensure refund points are operated in a manner that is safe for workers and the public. Scheme agreements require refund point operators to comply with all employment, WHS and industrial relations laws applicable to their workforce,” he said.

Cusack said the organisation hasn’t received any reports of poor or unethical conduct in refund centres from staff to date.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn did not directly address questions about AWU’s motion, but said he looked forward to discussing the motions put forward to the conference.

“WA Labor’s State Conference is an important event to hear from members, unions, and the community, all who contribute to the labour movement and help shape the party’s values,” he said.

“I look forward to engaging respectfully and constructively on issues important to them and to the rest of the state.

“With more than 800 jobs created through the Containers for Change program to date, this scheme is helping to diversify our economy and create more employment opportunities for Western Australians.”

Silica fight

Gandy and the AWU have also put forward a motion calling on the Cook government to beef up silica dust monitoring regimes on mine sites or lower exposure limits to reduce the impact of the dust on mine workers.

In September 2024, the state introduced regulations requiring employers to have silica dust control plans in place if employees are working with crystalline silica dust – which can cause deadly silicosis after prolonged exposure.

The mining sector was exempt from these regulations which angered the AWU at the time.

“Silica dust kills and the AWU will always fight for safer workplaces for our members,” Gandy said.

“Silicosis is incurable, progressive and fatal. Our members in mining must be protected.

“The federal government and states, including WA, have banned engineered stone products due to the high risk of exposure to silica dust. It’s now time we protect workers in the mining industry.”

Gandy said the Western Mine Workers’ Alliance had multiple members with active cases of silicosis.

“We will not be turning our back on them and we’re calling upon the state government to take action to protect all WA mine workers,” he said.