마이크론의 45억 달러 규모 타오위안 공장 건설이 이익 배분을 둘러싼 노사 분쟁으로 중단된 가운데, 마이크론과 타오위안 노조는 11월 6일 다시 회동할 예정이다.

Micron has paused construction at its Fab 11E site in Taoyuan after the company and its Taoyuan labor union failed to reach an agreement on clearer profit-sharing terms. Bloomberg reports that activity at the site has all but halted, apart from minor safety work, and some sources say executives are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding negotiations with workers. The company has not issued a statement on the move but has already informed local officials of the suspension.

"Taiwan plays an important role in Micron's global footprint, and our operations today continue as normal," Micron said. "We are confident in maintaining business continuity for our customers."

The company recently announced a bonus that could give some eligible workers as much as five times their annual salary. It has also concluded a deal with the larger Taichung union, although some members said they were dissatisfied with the outcome. The Taoyuan union, by contrast, is still holding out for better terms, and the two sides are set to meet again on November 6. Last month, the union staged a one-day strike to show the chipmaker its resolve and how its operations could be disrupted if its demands are not met.

Workers at the big three memory chip manufacturers, Micron, Samsung and SK hynix, have been protesting recently, demanding a bigger share of the massive profits these companies are making from the AI memory chip boom. SK hynix has agreed to pay staff $50,00 [figure as printed in source; please verify] apiece, with each employee set to receive $477,000 in bonuses this year and up to $900,000 next year. Samsung Foundry workers also fought for an average bonus of $340,000, which won approval at the last minute and averted a massive strike that would have disrupted the company's operations. Employees at the two South Korean companies expect performance bonuses of up to $400,000 and are turning down coveted overseas training programs in favor of cold, hard cash.

While the company has not commented on the suspension at its Taoyuan site, it is hard to believe the timing, so close to its next meeting with the Taoyuan union, is a coincidence. Micron is also developing other sites around the world, including plans for an HBM fab in Japan, a $24-billion development in Singapore, and facilities across the U.S. Nevertheless, the company says it looks forward to reaching an agreement with its workers, and the Taiwan government hopes for a win-win outcome for both parties.