Micron union in Taiwan's Taoyuan wins strike vote, seeks 15% of operating profit
In short
The union at Micron Technology's Taoyuan site in Taiwan announced on Oct 7 that members had voted to authorise a strike, with 1,994 of 2,012 voters in favour. The union wants 15% of operating profit shared with employees, citing performance-linked bonus systems at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, and plans a rally in Taipei on Oct 19.
Read the full story 2 min read
The union at Micron Technology's Taoyuan site in Taiwan has secured the right to strike, announcing the result of a members' vote at a press conference on Oct 7. Of 2,258 eligible members, 2,012 voted; 1,994 voted in favour, 14 against and 4 ballots were invalid. Outlets put approval among voters at about 99%, with Kukmin Ilbo and Newsis giving 99.1%. They differed on the share of all members: Yonhap gave 83.3%, Chosun Ilbo 88.3%. Chosun Ilbo reported that voting ran from Oct 1 to 6. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The union is demanding a standing system that shares 15% of operating profit with employees, saying the existing bonus calculation is not transparent, according to Kukmin Ilbo and Newsis. It points to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which tie bonuses to company performance. Kukmin Ilbo and Newsis reported that Samsung in May created a special bonus funded by 10.5% of operating profit in its chip division, and that SK hynix uses 10% of operating profit for profit-sharing payments. According to Yonhap, the union argued that even a 15% share might not exceed bonus levels at the two Korean companies. Chosun Ilbo reported a claim that Micron had in the past distributed 10% of quarterly net income to employees. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Micron last month announced a bonus of NT$1 million for Taiwan employees; Hankook Ilbo described it as up to that amount. The union says it wants a profit-sharing system linked to results rather than a one-off payment. Hankook Ilbo reported that mediation between the Taoyuan union and the company ended last month without agreement. Micron said it is aware of employees' concerns and will continue dialogue and mediation with the union, Kukmin Ilbo and Newsis reported. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The union urged Micron's board, meeting on Oct 8-9 US time, to present a concrete plan, and said it would consider further action if none came, including a strike announced to members by text message. Employees are being encouraged to take leave for a rally on Oct 19 in Taipei; Yonhap said it would be held in front of the Presidential Office. Chosun Ilbo reported that no strike date has been set. The Taichung union is still negotiating with the company and is due to hold a second mediation session on Oct 22, Chosun Ilbo reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Hankook Ilbo reported that Micron's revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (June to August), announced on Sept 30, was $54.23 billion, about 4.8 times a year earlier, with net income of $37.7 billion. Taiwan is a major DRAM and HBM production base for Micron, and the Taoyuan and Taichung unions represent more than 80% of its roughly 15,000 Taiwan employees, according to Reuters as cited by Hankook Ilbo. The Taipei Times, citing the union, reported that the two sites account for more than 60% of Micron's global output, Chosun Ilbo said. Reuters said a strike could add to supply instability in an already tight global memory market. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Taiwan is a major DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production base for Micron, and the Taoyuan and Taichung unions represent more than 80% of local staff, so a strike could affect production, Kukmin Ilbo and Newsis reported. Reuters, cited by Hankook Ilbo, said a strike could add to supply instability in an already tight global memory chip market. Hankook Ilbo and Newsis described bonus disputes at memory chipmakers as spreading amid AI-driven demand.
Key facts
- Of 2,258 eligible members of the Taoyuan union, 2,012 voted and 1,994 voted in favour of a strike. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- There were 14 votes against and 4 invalid votes. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The union demands a system sharing 15% of operating profit with employees. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Micron last month announced a bonus of NT$1 million for Taiwan employees; the union wants a lasting profit-sharing system instead of a one-off payment. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The union urged Micron's board, meeting on Oct 8-9 US time, to present a concrete plan and said it would consider further action, including a strike announced to members by text message, if none came. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Employees are being encouraged to take leave for a rally in Taipei on Oct 19. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Taichung union is still negotiating with the company. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Taoyuan union's strike vote passed with 1,994 of 2,012 voters in favour, out of 2,258 eligible members. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The union is demanding that 15% of operating profit be shared with employees, citing Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The union called on Micron's board meeting on Oct 8-9 US time to present a concrete plan. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The union raised the option of a strike announced to members by text message. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- A rally is planned for Oct 19, with employees urged to take leave to attend. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Micron last month announced a bonus of NT$1 million for its Taiwan employees. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Taoyuan and Taichung unions represent more than 80% of Micron's Taiwan employees. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Share of all members who backed the strike Yonhap put support at 83.3% of all members, while Chosun Ilbo put it at 88.3%.
- Size of Micron's bonus Hankook Ilbo described it as up to NT$1 million, while Kukmin Ilbo and Newsis described it as a special cash bonus of NT$1 million.
- Strike date Chosun Ilbo reported that the union has not set an actual strike date; next steps depend on the board meeting and the company's response.
- Past profit-sharing at Micron Only Chosun Ilbo reported a claim that Micron once distributed 10% of quarterly net income to employees, without saying who made it.
- Share of Micron's global output from Taiwan The figure of more than 60% comes from the union, as cited by the Taipei Times via Chosun Ilbo.
- Location of the Oct 19 rally Yonhap said it would be in front of the Presidential Office; other outlets said only that it would be in Taipei.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Oct 7: Yonhap reports that the Taoyuan union announced at an afternoon press conference that it had secured the right to strike. [ 1 ]
- Oct 8: Hankook Ilbo reports Micron's record quarterly results and Reuters' warning about memory supply. [ 2 ]
- Oct 8: Kukmin Ilbo reports approval of 99.1% among voters and Micron's statement that it will continue dialogue. [ 3 ]
- Oct 9: Chosun Ilbo reports that voting ran from Oct 1 to 6 and that no strike date has been set. [ 5 ]