Micron’s Taiwan workers say 68 months’ bonus not enough

Taiwanese workers at memory chip manufacturer Micron Technology have rejected the company's 68-month bonus offer, sparking fears of a potential strike. Global tech firms have profited greatly from soaring demand for artificial intelligence technology, but Micron's employees argue their share of profits should be greater. Micron, which produces approximately 50-60 percent of its chips in Taiwan, has negotiated with two labor unions representing nearly 12,000 of its 15,000 workers in the Taoyuan and Taichung plants.

The company stated that employees will receive total rewards equivalent to 35-68 months of pay for fiscal 2026, with a minimum cash compensation of NT$1.7 million (US$53,200). However, workers claim the offer falls short of their expectations, given the company's recent profit surge. The unions have proposed a one-off bonus of 83 months of salary, as well as a permanent system allocating 15% of operating profits to worker bonuses, paid out quarterly.

Micron's workers believe their bonuses are lower than those of competitors SK Hynix and Samsung, and they are demanding comparable treatment. The demand for memory chips used in AI data centers has led to a surge in revenues for chip manufacturers, but Micron is racing against competitors like Samsung and SK Hynix for market share.