The same IC industry before and after the two acquisitions caused many disputes, in Germany, the United States and China have not quell the controversy...
Microchip top management has subsided most because of Atmel and Micrel dissent, but there are still sporadic on three continents with sound.
One in Germany, stearns (Dresden) before Atmel design team Microchip will be asked to pay severance pay, claiming that the company was wrong layoffs decision; Atmel before a small group of employees in the United States also require get they think is a former employer promises to pay severance pay; And in Shanghai, China, a former Micrel employee protest layoffs.
Microchip paid half Atmel promised severance pay, claiming Atmel is passed in Microchip error acquired in earlier this year before the company promised to offer (reference); Aiming at this problem, Microchip citing currently involved in litigation declined to comment.
Learned, sandler's labor court hearing will be held on November Lord (main) an meeting hear the Atmel before 39; Atmel design team members before a spoke on condition of anonymity, said in the past, if Atmel executive job cuts in Germany, will pay each employee according to seniority 1.2 months salary as severance pay every year.
Deloitte's labor court had previously held a mediation hearings (conciliation an), won't make any concession of Microchip; So the judge asked Microchip need before September 9, why to cut the Atmel design team before an explanation.
In April 18, namely Microchip acquisition of Atmel. Two weeks later, headquartered in Germany, the bloomberg (Heilbronn) of Atmel Automotive (for Atmel German subsidiaries) competent visit, stearns stronghold, announced that it would end the stronghold of its operations, and will take effect on May 4. But the sandler stearns employees claimed, Microchip before the decision, don't take time to assess the team's role and achievement.
The original of Atmel, stearns stronghold is opened in January 2002, specializes in automobile application design; To local staff after the increase in the number to about 45 engineer, in wi-fi and Zigbee wireless chip development. The team engineer, says deloitte stearns stronghold is IEEE 802.15.4 related product design center, and the Microchip 802.15.4 did not keep up with the latest technology, Atmel products more advanced and comply with the latest standards specifications.
The engineer also quoted Microchip CEO Steve Sanghi on May 4, during an analyst meeting record of conversation, Sanghi said at the time: "Atmel in seven different design centers operate outside wireless business scale is very, very small, we closed one, in the very high cost area."
The United States is negotiation, Chinese people protest
As for in the United States, there are a few before Atmel employees said they are in discussions with the Microchip for they considered Atmel promise to pay severance pay in full.
Sanghi said in an interview with EE Times at the end of April, 97% of the former Atmel employees have signed the consent form, accept the promised severance pay half the amount; And he stressed that the Atmel originally promised severance deal happen ago expired. And in order to show sincerity of Microchip and severance compensation company extra spending, Sanghi and operating officer Ganesh Moorthy all voluntary less take half a month's salary.
Response rate for 97% of the agreement, Sanghi, said: "this is proof that the staff also made a promised severance amount of expired to the conclusion that... so the issue no longer exists;" Microchop on April 25, Atmel before sent a letter to all the staff, to extend their sign agreed to accept half the amount of severance deadline, wrote in the letter:
"More than 95% of all employees in the United States, people have accepted severance pay conditions and sign the consent form to the hr department, we would like to thank the staff support. As you know, we made some personal sacrifice for the employees, we are very pleased that were not in vain."
"100% of the positive support is what we want to see, but don't expect; we sincerely invite the people who haven't a few colleagues to sign the consent form, 95% of the other colleagues in reply and agreement. We know some of you may be to go on a business trip or vacation, therefore to extend the deadline to April 28, 2016, Thursday. You have already expressed his views and let public anger, but the situation is if you don't sign the consent form, will be a lose-lose; Shared sacrifice Microchip this side, and 95% of the staff, we have the situation into is a win-win situation for everyone."
Before have a unmoved by Atmel employees believe that environment that is created a rival Sanghi: "many employees are fear of reprisal, signed the agreement because of the fear... they want to keep your job. This is a kind of terrorist atmosphere, and everything in their projects... in order to save money."
In addition, there are unnamed sources will be sent to EE Times a photo from China, showing a group of former Micrel employees against Microchop layoffs for public demonstrations in Shanghai.
, according to the source of Microchip cut almost all former Micrel competent level (director) or employee, the prospect to stay will also be a pay cut, as a part of the reorganization plan; But a Microchip spokesman said the company did not cut in Asia because of the acquisition of Micrel, director of the above employees (please refer to this controversy about Microchip acquisition Micrel link).
The source pointed out that he's second-hand news is that the protesters from the original application of Micrel car design team, was asked if you want to keep their jobs will accept a pay cut sharply, or will be cut. The Microchip spokeswoman clarify the fact.
Original Atmel employees according to the source: "after the protesters to Atmel our Shanghai office, we have security guard at the gate for a week, and in plainclothes security personnel, to ensure that those who didn't come back again."
