A man facing 90 degrees talks to a man in a construction vest whose back faces the camera.

TSMC Arizona, AZBTC agree to workforce partnership

Published: 12/06/2023

TSMC, building and construction union announce deal framework

PHOENIX (Dec. 6, 2023) — TSMC Arizona and the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council (AZBTC) have come to an agreement on a new framework for cooperation with respect to the construction and tool installation of TSMC Arizona’s semiconductor manufacturing facility in Phoenix. The agreement outlines mutually agreed upon priorities that will guide the relationship, which includes union workplace training and development, workforce safety, channels of communication, and site staffing.

As the largest single foreign direct investment in Arizona’s history, TSMC Arizona will feature the most advanced semiconductor process technology in the U.S. and create thousands of stable, high-paying jobs for Arizonans. The construction phase of these first two fabs has already created thousands of prevailing-wage construction jobs for AZBTC members. TSMC and AZBTC are pleased to share that the agreement extends their collaboration across specific areas of cooperation as follows:

  • Enhanced Workforce Training and Development: A highly skilled, diverse, and inclusive construction workforce is necessary to meet the timelines of the two fabs. The AZBTC intends to recruit a sufficient number of skilled workers to fulfill manpower requirements of TSMC Arizona’s contractors for the Project. TSMC Arizona will partner with AZBTC on the development of union workforce training programs and curricula. The goal will be to build a construction workforce that can support TSMC Arizona in the near and long term with employment opportunities.
  • Shared Commitment to Site Safety: TSMC Arizona is deeply committed to workplace safety in the operation of all its facilities. To enhance the partnership, TSMC Arizona will maintain transparency with AZBTC with regards to safety assessments, audits, incident records and improvement plans.
  • Industry Leading, Global Workforce: TSMC Arizona is focused on hiring workers locally in the United States. The AZBTC workforce is highly skilled in constructing microchip manufacturing plants. Circumstances may require TSMC Arizona or its vendors to employ foreign workers with specialized experience.
  • Open and Regular Communication: To ensure TSMC Arizona and AZBTC are fulfilling the spirit of the agreement outlined, and accountable to commitments made, ongoing communication and review via regular forums will be critical. A committee will be formed, consisting of members designated by the affiliated AZBTC unions and members designated by TSMC Arizona and the contractors. These meetings will be held quarterly, one of which will be an annual forecast meeting to project future workforce requirements.
Comment from AZBTC

“Today’s agreement is a win for Arizona workers and the construction timeline of TSMC Arizona,” said Aaron Butler, AZBTC president. “AZBTC and TSMC Arizona have shown that when we come together to focus on our workers and developing the skills of the future, our state has much to gain.”

Comment from TSMC Arizona

“AZBTC is a vital partner to TSMC Arizona in the construction of this leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing facility,” said Brian Harrison, President of TSMC Arizona. “AZBTC union members have the critical skills necessary to help us complete our two advanced-chipmaking fabs, and we look forward to embarking together on a new chapter of partnership and collaboration.”

Media Inquiries:

Israel Torres
AZBTC Spokesperson
israel@thetorresfirm.com

Christine Dotts
Director of Public Relations, TSMC Arizona
cdotts@tsmc.com