Just as different as East is from West and China is from the United States, look at the difference in how IBM workers affected by Big Blue’s selling its x86 server business to Lenovo have reacted a world apart.

Irate IBMers in China – of all places – struck at an x86 plant in Shenzhen last week, shutting the place down and generating worldwide media attention. In the U.S., reaction has basically been a few comments posted to the Alliance@IBM union website.

Even though some 20 of the strikers were fired for the actions, according to Chinese media, hundreds more kept protesting.

They succeeded in negotiating better severance packages and even secured a $6,000 retention bonus for workers who decided to accept a transfer to Lenovo, Chinese media say,

“On March 9, the company came up with a new compensation scheme, which made no change for workers who decided to leave the company, but promised 36,000 yuan (about $6,000) in bonuses for those who remained,” Chinese news website ECNS reported.

Yet about half of the strikes have just said no to working for Lenovo.

Lenovo even issued a plea to IBM x86-ers worldwide – some 7,500 of them including 2,000 – to come work for the world’s No. 1 PC maker.

“The talent we are acquiring is a great asset, and key to our long term success,” Lenovo said in a statement published on its website earlier this week.

“Lenovo will rely on these employees to build the business after closing and looks forward to welcoming them to Lenovo in several months’ time.

“To ensure a smooth transition Lenovo is committed to provide opportunity for all employees from IBM’s x86 server department who transfer to Lenovo, without any reduction of their wages and benefits.

“We value their contributions and our goal is to provide them with continued opportunity pending approval of this acquisition.”

Emphasis added to the wages and benefits comment.

In RTP, Lenovo is moving ahead rapidly, assuming that government regulators will approve the $2.3 billion deal with IBM. The company confirmed Thursday that it will base the x86 group at the former Sony Ericsson 450,000 square foot complex in RTP. 

At least workers who transfer won’t have to add much to their commute.