Thousands walk out at running shoe factory

Dispute follows decision by firm that supplies Nike to transfer workers to different plant

Thousands of workers at a factory operated by Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings, the world's largest sports shoe maker, have gone on strike over proposed changes to production arrangements, the company said on Wednesday.

The Taiwan-based manufacturer produces footwear for global brands such as Nike and adidas. Between 2,000 and 3,000 workers are protesting at a factory in Guangdong province that makes shoes for international companies, said Jerry Shum, the firm's Hong Kong-based investor relations director. He would not identify the brands that are supplied by the plant.