More than 150 employees at the Zhongli plant operated by the snack brand Kuai Kuai launched a strike starting at 5 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2026, marking the first labor strike in the company’s 57-year history, according to reports from Yahoo Stock and Eastern Broadcasting (EBC). The industrial action follows the sale of the Zhongli factory land by the San-Di Group to ASE Group for over NT$5 billion, a transaction that left workers facing relocation and employment uncertainties.
Zhongli Plant Workers Launch 57-Year First Strike Over Land Sale
The strike began after labor dispute mediation between the Kuai Kuai Zhongli factory union and management broke down at the Taipei and Taoyuan City Government on Sept. 16, 2026. Following the failed mediation, the union held a general meeting on Sept. 18 and voted with a 94% approval rate to secure legal strike rights, as reported by EBC. On Sept. 29, union members and representatives from the Taoyuan City Federation of Labor unions protested outside the ASE Zhongli plant gates before escalating to a full walkout on Oct. 2.
According to Yahoo Stock, union members expressed frustration over shifting relocation plans, noting that management had alternately pointed to Pingtung, Xinchu, and Yangmei as prospective new plant sites without providing transparent details. Following an initial one-day warning strike and disputes regarding management’s plan to bring migrant workers into the facility, the Kuai Kuai enterprise union held a temporary meeting on the evening of Oct. 2 and voted to upgrade the action to an indefinite strike, as detailed by Liberty Times.
Did You Know? In Taiwan’s technology sector, engineering teams frequently place green packets of Kuai Kuai snack foods on server racks and computer hardware to ward off equipment malfunctions—a cultural tradition that recently gained international attention from tech media outlets such as Tom’s Hardware amid the factory labor dispute.
Kuai Kuai Management Response and Counterproposals
In response to the indefinite strike, Kuai Kuai issued a formal statement addressing the union’s demands and outlining operational adjustments. The company stated that in response to employee feedback, the previously announced Xinchu plant development plan, which was made public on Sept. 1, will no longer be pursued. Instead, the group has initiated land evaluations focused on the Taoyuan area to minimize disruption for workers and support long-term business operations.
Kuai Kuai management also detailed financial adjustments, noting that a comprehensive salary-raising incentive scheme took effect on Sept. 1, and a further salary adjustment plan is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Regarding the union’s specific negotiation items, the company stated it offers a guarantee of no layoffs for two years, a commitment to statutory severance plus two months’ wages if layoffs occur after two years, priority employment rights for local workers at any new site, and an additional year-end bonus of at least 0.5 months for the 2027 Lunar New Year.
What May Happen Next in the Kuai Kuai Labor Dispute
With the enterprise union maintaining an indefinite strike posture, further negotiations are expected to hinge on whether the two sides can bridge gaps regarding relocation transparency and compensation terms. Kuai Kuai has stated that it remains open to communication and intends to pursue substantive negotiations to foster a stable work environment. Observers note that production disruptions at the historic snack facility could persist until a formal, mutually accepted agreement is finalized between factory leadership and the union.
Workers Strike After Land Sale Sparks Job Security Concerns
What triggered the Kuai Kuai factory strike?
The strike was triggered by the San-Di Group selling the Zhongli factory land to ASE Group, which sparked worker concerns over job security, relocation plans, and compensation terms following the transaction.
When did the strike officially begin?
The strike formally commenced at 5 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2026, after labor dispute mediation mediated by the Taoyuan City Government failed on Sept. 16 and members voted in favor of strike action.
What are the company’s stated commitments regarding employment?
Kuai Kuai management stated it guarantees no layoffs for two years, offers statutory severance plus two months’ wages for any subsequent layoffs, promises priority employment for local workers at new sites, and plans structured wage increases.
How will the ongoing labor negotiations shape the future production of Taiwan’s iconic tech-blessing snack?
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