Micron Taiwan's labor mediation breaks down, union announces launch of strike vote

The labor dispute mediation between Taiwan's Micron Taoyuan wafer union and management has broken down. (Provided by Taoshi Industrial Association)

[Reporter Zheng Shuting/Taoyuan Report] The labor dispute mediation between Micron Taiwan's Taoyuan wafer union and the employer was held for the second time today (21st). The Taoshi Industry Association stated that the company announced a one-time bonus of NT$1 million on September 11 without consulting the Taoyuan and Taichung labor unions. The company's surprise move triggered anger and incomprehension at the grassroots level.

It is reported that the union representatives have authorized the board of directors to decide whether to vote on strike. The union will soon plan a secret vote of all members. If more than half of the members agree to strike, they will obtain the right to strike.

The Taoshi Industrial Association said that after the first mediation on September 4, the second mediation was held today. In the first mediation, the United States set the second mediation on the grounds that important people had important private matters and needed to discuss plans with senior executives of American companies. Two weeks later, on September 21, while waiting for the second mediation process, the company announced a one-time bonus of NT$1 million on September 11 without consulting the Taoyuan and Taichung labor unions. The company's surprise move triggered anger and incomprehension at the grassroots level.

The Taiwan Federation of Industry and Commerce said that Micron Taiwan's Taoyuan wafer union originally believed that the company would negotiate in good faith and decided to participate in the Taoyuan City Government's second labor dispute mediation meeting. However, it was very regrettable that during the meeting, Micron still did not propose specific measures for the "profit sharing system" that employees are most concerned about. Regardless of whether it is the highest reward in history of 1 million yuan, today Micron has violated its promise on September 4th and failed to come up with any specific or alternative plans for a reasonable profit distribution system. The response without a plan not only disrespects the union members, but also makes employees’ dissatisfaction reach the limit.

Finally, Taiwan's Micron Taoyuan Wafer Workers' Union would like to express its deepest regret once again against Micron, Taiwan's largest foreign-owned multinational company, for publicly announcing its plan during the labor mediation negotiation process and for not proposing a specific plan for a profit-sharing system in the end. It also announced that it will promote a strike vote in accordance with the Labor Dispute Resolution Act after labor dispute mediation fails. Detailed planning will be announced in the near future.

The Taiwan Federation of Industry and Commerce said that on September 18, Micron and the Taichung labor union decided to enter into the second labor dispute mediation on October 22. According to Taiwan’s labor dispute settlement mechanism, the mediation procedures and stages will eventually have a sequence. However, the Taiwan Micron Taoyuan Union must remind Micron that the failure of this mediation does not mean that the Taiwan Micron Taoyuan Union will refuse to negotiate from now on. The company still has the opportunity to truly negotiate on an equal footing with the two unions, and must not challenge the unity of Taiwanese workers and their determination to strive for a reasonable profit sharing.