Taiwanese netizen sighs: Zhang Zhongmou has already predicted that TSMC will erupt in conflict with local labor unions in the United States | TSMC | Taiwan
According to a report from Reference News Network, TSMC's plant in Arizona, USA is lagging behind and has announced an extension of production from 2024 to 2025. TSMC Chairman Liu Deyin attributed this to a shortage of labor with special expertise in building wafer factories. Meanwhile, union leaders in Arizona criticized TSMC for using this as an excuse to introduce "lower paying foreign workers," sparking heated discussions among netizens.
According to reports, Alan Butler, one of the largest unions in Arizona and president of the Arizona Construction and Trade Association, wrote a column in a local business magazine criticizing TSMC for blaming local workers for the delay in the US factory. Butler stated that local laborers have been experienced in building and assembling wafer factories for Intel for 40 years. TSMC did not explain where the local labor shortage was, and blaming American workers for the problem was "very criminal and incorrect.". Butler also pointed out that the alternative conclusion to this situation is that TSMC wants to use this as an excuse to introduce foreign workers who can pay lower wages.
This has forced TSMC to respond by stating that it is currently the most important stage for the Arizona factory, and that the most advanced and precise equipment requires experienced professionals to perform specific projects. Therefore, professionals from Taiwan are temporarily dispatched to Arizona to support related work, in order to support the wafer factory's move towards mass production. TSMC emphasized that this matter will not affect the allocation of 1200 local on-site employees, nor will it affect recruitment work in the United States. In addition, TSMC has no plans to replace local workers with foreign workers. At present, suppliers are continuously recruiting local construction personnel for positions such as electricity, sheet metal, and welding.
According to a report by Taiwan's United News Network, a TSMC equipment supplier has revealed that TSMC's Arizona factory in the United States has completed the main building and mechanical and electrical engineering, and will proceed with the final confirmation and installation of the cleanroom. TSMC purchased advanced 4-nanometer production machines from equipment manufacturers or moved them from Taiwan, which are highly precise equipment that many American engineers have not come into contact with. Therefore, skilled technicians are required to ensure timely operation after installation.
This incident has also sparked heated discussions within Taiwan, with many people mentioning that this situation coincides with the previous prediction of TSMC founder Zhang Zhongmou. "I forgot about Lao Zhang's reminder, although it was too late," "Lao Zhang had already said it was not suitable, but it was forced," and "Seeing the attitude of the United States, I really feel sorry for Zhang Zhongmou.".
In addition, some Taiwanese netizens are concerned that American factories will become a burden for TSMC: "Without the biggest advantage of cheap labor, TSMC's future?" "Without cheap labor, TSMC's competitiveness is lost." "TSMC relies on explosive liver power to sustain itself." "TSMC's production costs in the United States are probably two to three times higher, which is terrifying to think of.".