Framatome fights for profits. We fight for you.
Framatome fights for profits. We fight for you.
7025 W Grandridge Blvd
Kennewick, WA 99336
July 23rd @ 6pm
If you want real answers, come get the truth in person. Talk directly with Darla Stevens—your IBEW rep—about anything on your mind. We’re here to be transparent, not to hide behind talking points or scare tactics. Framatome fights to protect the company’s interests. We fight for you—the working class. Ask the hard questions. You deserve honest answers from the people who will actually have your back.
Want to Speak to Someone Confidentially?
saralangus@ibew77.com
509-6140567
Your Voice
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Your Vote
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Your Power
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Your Voice • Your Vote • Your Power •
The REAL Truth
Framatome has made many misleading statements, please see the truth below.
1. “We’re a pro-employee company with an open-door policy”
The Truth:
Open-door policies are only as good as the management behind them—and they can be closed just as easily. An employer's policies are not legally binding and can change at any time, with or without employee input. A union contract is a legally enforceable agreement that protects your pay, benefits, and working conditions.
🧾 NLRB v. Katz (369 U.S. 736, 1962): Employers cannot change conditions unilaterally once a union is recognized—proving how union contracts lock in protections.
2. “Framatome must only bargain in good faith. We don’t have to agree to anything.”
TheTruth:
Correct, the law (29 U.S.C. § 158(d)) says both sides must bargain in good faith—but that’s the point: with a union, you get a seat at the table. Without a union, you have no legal right to bargain over your wages or benefits. With a union, you do.
Also, “good faith” requires serious, real proposals and communication. If Framatome refuses to bargain in good faith, charges can be filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
⚖️ NLRB v. Truitt Mfg. Co. (351 U.S. 149, 1956): Employers must provide information to justify claims during bargaining—demonstrating that bargaining has legal teeth.
3. “You’re not guaranteed better pay or benefits.”
The Truth:
What you are guaranteed is a say in the outcome—and the ability to vote on any contract before it becomes final. That’s democracy in the workplace. Employers love to warn that you could get less, but in practice, that’s extremely rare.
📊 A 2023 study by the Economic Policy Institute shows that union workers earn, on average, 10-15% more than non-union peers in similar jobs.
Plus, in over 90% of first contracts, workers maintain or improve their existing pay and benefits. No union contract takes effect unless a majority of you vote YES on it.
4. “The union represents everyone. Even those who don’t want it.”
The Truth:
That’s because the law says everyone in the unit should benefit from the protections—no one is left behind. You don’t lose your voice—you gain one that’s legally backed, democratically elected, and accountable to you.
🧩 Exclusive representation under 29 U.S.C. § 159(a) means no favoritism and no retaliation—equal protections, equal bargaining rights.
5. “You’ll be forced to pay dues through dues checkoff.”
The Truth:
You don’t pay a dime in dues until you negotiate, vote on, and approve a contract. That’s IBEW 77 policy—no contract, no dues. And dues checkoff (automatic deduction) is something you vote on in your contract.
🔍 In Communications Workers of America v. Beck (487 U.S. 735, 1988), the Supreme Court ruled you cannot be forced to pay for union political activities if you object—only for representation.
6. “Union security clauses force you to pay or be fired.”
The Truth:
In Washington, union security clauses are legal—but only if you negotiate and vote to include one in your contract. Again, this doesn’t apply unless you agree to it in a democratic vote.
And remember, dues are reinvested into protecting your job, negotiating your raise, and enforcing your rights.
7. “It takes years to get a contract.”
The Truth:
Not true. The median time to a first contract is around 11 months, according to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. And many IBEW 77 units have achieved strong contracts in less than a year.
If Framatome delays or bargains in bad faith, the union can file charges and force them to the table. Without a union, you have no such recourse.
8. “Union dues are expensive.”
The Truth:
Dues are typically a small percentage of your paycheck—and only kick in after a contract is approved. They fund negotiations, legal representation, grievance handling, and lobbying that benefits you. It’s a return on investment.
Example: $1,192 in annual dues could return thousands in negotiated raises, better benefits, and legal support.
9. “Unions can’t guarantee job security.”
The Truth:
No one can stop a business from shutting down. But a union contract can guarantee due process, prevent unjust terminations, and enforce seniority, transfer, and layoff language that protects you. That’s real job security.
📘 Weingarten Rights (420 U.S. 251, 1975): Union workers are legally entitled to union representation in disciplinary meetings.
10. “Strikes can cost you your job.”
Rebuttal:
Strikes are extremely rare and only occur when you vote for them—usually over 95% of contracts are settled without a strike. Even if a strike happens, most strikers are protected under the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. § 157).
In fact, IBEW Local 77 hasn’t had a Strike since the 1970’s. We understand the stress a strike can cause. This is another place your union dues go, we ran a successful campaign against the City of Richland for “The Richland Line Crew”. Where we spent well over $50,000 for 30 members to avoid a strike.
Richland Campaign can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfRichlandExploitsPandemicToUndercutFairWages/videos/403503444432995
Only under certain conditions (economic strikes) could workers be replaced—and only if permanent replacements are truly necessary. The law heavily favors resolution before any strike occurs.
11. “Union causes division and outsiders interfering.”
The Truth:
The union isn't an outsider—it’s your coworkers, standing together. The only “outsider” is the anti-union consultant hired by Framatome to scare you into voting no.
The union is you. Your voice. Your vote. Your power.