US trade union fights TSMC plan to use Taiwanese workers on Arizona semiconductor factory build
- A pipe fitters and plumbers’ group asks American lawmakers to block EB-2 visas for workers from the island
- TSMC claims number of workers coming to Arizona has not been determined, but the number will be ‘extremely limited’
Among other issues, workers in Arizona want American lawmakers to deny visas for Taiwanese workers the company wants to import to speed up construction of the plant, once hailed as a symbol of President Joe Biden’s agenda to compete with China.
“TSMC announced they plan to bring more than 800 foreign workers to Arizona to operate on the North Phoenix facility,” Arizona Pipe Trades 469 said on its Votervoice.net page, a digital platform used for advocacy and organising. The trade union is based in Phoenix and represents pipe fitters and plumbers.
“Protect your union brothers and sisters, protect your pay cheque and protect American jobs!”
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The petition titled “Block TSMC Worker Visas” accuses the company of showing “a lack of respect for American workers, placing profit above worker safety and deliberately misrepresenting the quality, skills and experience of Arizona’s workforce” despite the Taiwanese chip maker receiving “large financial breaks” under the Chips and Science Act.
