TSMC's Arizona plant is delayed over poor management, not a shortage of US skilled labor, workers building it say
(www.businessinsider.com)
from L4s@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 14:00
https://lemmy.world/post/3689401
from L4s@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world on 23 Aug 2023 14:00
https://lemmy.world/post/3689401
TSMC’s Arizona plant is delayed over poor management, not a shortage of US skilled labor, workers building it say::TSMC blamed Arizona workers for delaying the construction of its Phoenix chip plant. But those union workers say the real issue is bad management.
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This is the best summary I could come up with:
To get things back on track, the company is trying to get visas for as many as 500 Taiwanese technicians to assist with construction and training on the site, where nearly 12,000 people work each day.
The union says that TSMC has deliberately misrepresented the skillset of Arizona’s workforce and has expressed concern that US workers will ultimately be replaced by “cheap” Taiwanese labor.
A company spokesperson told Insider that at this stage in the construction process, it’s “common practice to partner with the local workforce and international experienced staff to ensure the highest-quality execution.”
The company did not respond specifically to the accusations of management problems on the site, but a spokesperson said: “TSMC is committed to ensuring that working conditions in its supply chains are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that business operations are environmentally responsible and conducted ethically.”
Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that managerial challenges — fueled in part by cultural differences between TSMC and US workers — had been among the reasons for the factory’s delay.
When entering the construction site each morning, both workers said they’d experienced delays at every step of the process, from hourlong security lines to challenges procuring the right safety gear, known as a “bunny suit.”
The original article contains 1,496 words, the summary contains 214 words. Saved 86%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
Describe every company in America in 2023:
Taiwanese company upset people don’t work 16 hour days without breaks and demand living wage. Should be the title of all the articles about this. I’m sure that means they have unrealistic expectations/timelines. How dare these construction workers not act like slave robots.
The sad truth of the matter is the reason we don’t have much tech manufacturing in America is it costs more And takes more time. Workers expect better pay, less hours and benefits. Through in that we’re more picky about industrial waste and other things that cost these companies money and they’re all located where they are for a reason. The government subsidizing the costs for national defense is the only way companies (which are companies and only care about profit margins) are going to produce electronics in the US.
Sir, this is the US
These are union workers though. They tend to be a lot closer to being able to afford groceries.
After personally speaking to a Taiwanese engineer working for TSMC in AZ, there is a major cultural difference, it shouldn’t be overlooked.
People forget though, Intel is also expanding their plant in Chandler so this project is competiting for workers from within a diminished work force against a huge competitor. Intel doesn’t need to be told how to pay and run US based capital projects.
If anything TSMC should be embarrassed they couldn’t successfully forecast a huge capital project to completion. That’s where the lack of competency and blame should be placed.
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It’s almost like all these free trade agreements and such with the developing world were all designed to enrich the oligarchical ruling class. With zero fucks given to anything but cheap labor with higher profit margins. The comparative advantage is just a fun way to explain exploiting maximum profit from a vulnerable economy willing to eat shit with a smile.
Hold up: the workers are blaming management? /s
Workers are pointing the finger at management and they have ALL the receipts to prove that TSMC is the one who’s fucking up here
Good article, lots of specifics as to what the accusations against TSMC are. Also, it appears there is a paper trail to back them up: