Filed under: Apple Corporate, Hardware, iPhone
Violent strike racks Apple's touchscreen supplier
Workers at a Wintek Corp factory in China have gone on strike this week, some of them destroying equipment, according to China Daily. Workers are reportedly protesting poor work conditions and alleged deaths from overexposure to toxic chemicals. The chemical in question, hexane, is used for cleaning touch panels. Wintek is the world's largest supplier of touch screens for mobile phones, including Apple's iPhone. This isn't the first time labor disputes have arisen within Wintek. Last year, protesters gathered at Apple's offices in Taiwan to force Apple into pressuring Wintek to clean up alleged workplace labor and safety violations. Back then, protesters appeared to be using the popularity of Apple's brand name to get attention to their cause.This time things have unfortunately escalated to violence.
There's no immediate word on how the strike will affect Apple's supply of iPhone screens. We're hoping it ends in a manner that's beneficial to everyone.
[Via AppleInsider]
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Macintologist said 3:04PM on 1-18-2010
If you don't like your work conditions then QUIT. No one is ENTITLED to a job.
Reply
strang said 3:11PM on 1-18-2010
You're kidding. Right? Downranked.
smokey said 3:15PM on 1-18-2010
I find your callousness astonishing - this isn't a case of the air conditioning is too cold or the day to day being a tad boring, this is relating to the death of workers from employer conditions in a part if the world where workers rights are given bare recognition, let alone regard, and wages are a pittance so you can afford your iPhone and mac.
The choices are not what you seem to think they are.
May I suggest you use your iPhones maps app to locate a sense of perspective and humanity
Izzy said 6:16PM on 1-18-2010
You sir, are an ass.
jollyllama said 8:14PM on 1-18-2010
But you are entitled to not be killed cleaning fucking touch screens for rich people.
Ian said 3:45PM on 1-18-2010
Or, if you want the price of your touchscreen device kept to an affordable level, have it made in hazardous conditions, which would be illegal in the US, in another country.
Reply
Joseph said 3:22PM on 1-18-2010
"If you don't like your work conditions then QUIT. No one is ENTITLED to a job."
WOW....that's a bit harsh!!!
Happy Martin Luther Day Tuaw :)
Reply
Blewyn said 6:17PM on 1-18-2010
EVERYONE is entitled to a job !
Reply
Kyle Day said 7:22PM on 1-18-2010
EVERYONE is entitled to a job? That is the most foolish and nanny-state mindset I could imagine.
Jobs are earned, not inherent rights or entitlements. Nobody is entitled to a job, but everyone should have the fair opportunity to apply themselves to EARN one...key words being "apply" and "earn".
This is a case of workplace safety and health concerns, and that is of serious concern. However, you are still wrong about entitlement to a job.
Blewyn said 7:46PM on 1-18-2010
No, EVERYONE is entitled to a job. If you want your property rights respected, and all the land is owned, then some provision MUST be made for those who have nothing but the ability to work, or they have no choice to take what they need by force. Alternatively you can keep them on welfare, but I personally believe that this takes away their dignity and engagement with society (they don't play a role, or contribute).
seanwillsalt said 3:27PM on 1-18-2010
Here's hoping it ends in a manner beneficial to the workers. I'm sure the world can do without a few extra iPhones if it means better conditions for the strikers.
Reply
Wheels said 3:40PM on 1-18-2010
Wow, Rush Limbaugh reads TUAW. Who Knew?
Reply
djfred said 5:55PM on 1-18-2010
Yay for the workers. I'll let Apple slide once because it's just hard to keep up with but if they're ignoring an ongoing problem, they need to apply the screws to get them to shape up pronto or find another supplier.
Macintologist, I didn't know they let guys like you own macs.
I'd say I hope you lose yours, but I doubt you've ever had one. That answer reeks of a middle-aged virgin sleeping on a cot in his mothers basement listening to AM talk radio in a desperate attempt reassure himself that it's someone else's fault. Stay angry, friend. It's better than facing the reality that you were born luckier than 90% of the worlds population and screwed up anyway.
(Cue macintologist racing back to tell everyone he earned 6 figures last year and doesn't live in his mom's basement.)
Reply