Taiwan President Urges Micron, Workers to Negotiate Amid Strike Threat

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has urged U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology and its employees to engage in sincere negotiations as a potential strike threatens operations at one of the company's largest semiconductor manufacturing hubs.

Speaking Thursday at the opening of Micron's new advanced assembly and testing facility in Taichung, Lai emphasized the importance of maintaining stable labor relations while supporting Taiwan's growing semiconductor industry.

His remarks followed a decision by a Taiwanese labor union representing Micron employees to authorize strike action over disagreements involving the company's bonus and profit-sharing arrangements.

Micron employs approximately 15,000 workers in Taiwan and has invested more than T$1.6 trillion ($49.4 billion) in the country, making it a major contributor to the island's technology sector.

Lai encouraged both management and employees to negotiate in good faith and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. He stressed that cooperation between businesses and workers is essential for long-term growth, job security, and industrial stability.

The Taiwanese president also praised Micron's continued investment in the country and expressed hope that the chipmaker would expand its operations. He confirmed that the government has provided support for Micron's high-bandwidth memory (HBM) research and development initiatives.

Taiwan remains a critical manufacturing center for Micron's dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and HBM chips, essential components used in artificial intelligence servers and advanced computing systems.

Despite the ongoing labor dispute, Micron President and Chief Operating Officer Manish Bhatia highlighted strong demand for the company's memory products.

Bhatia said the new facility's entire production capacity for 2027 has already been sold. He also expects demand for high-bandwidth memory to grow faster than the broader DRAM market through 2028.

Meanwhile, unions representing employees at Micron's Taoyuan and Taichung facilities are seeking a concrete profit-sharing proposal from management.

Negotiations with the Taoyuan union ended without an agreement in September, while discussions involving the Taichung union remain ongoing.

Union representatives have encouraged employees to take leave on October 19 to participate in a rally in Taipei, clarifying that the planned demonstration is not a strike.

Neither Micron nor union officials immediately commented on Lai's appeal for renewed negotiations.