This week, UAW Local 2325, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA), was forced to pay $315,000 to three Zionist union members over claims that they violated their rights as union members.
While a federal judge dismissed their claims of antisemitism, the union was forced to settle claims that it did not give the union members due process when seeking to expel them. The lawsuit is a troubling development for pro-Palestine activists in the labor movement. It could scare other unions from adopting the BDS strategy to force Israel to end the illegal occupation of Palestine.
The three union members claimed that their union, ALAA UAW Local 2325, was engaged in discriminatory actions against Jewish people by supporting the Boycott, Disinvestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The members cooperated with federal investigations by the House GOP into the union, angering many union members.
As evidence of supposed antisemitic statements, the Brandeis Center pointed to messages in internal union discussion boards where the Zionist union members, who cooperated with House GOP investigators, were referred to as “snitches,” “losers,” “disgusting,” “dictators in training,” and “Zionist ghouls.”.
While a federal judge had dismissed previous claims of antisemitic discrimination, the UAW claims it was forced to settle the case due to federal labor law charges that the union violated members' due process by expelling them without proper legal procedures, in violation of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
As part of the settlement terms, the UAW was also forced to apologize for some of the statements of some of its unions and promised to provide sensitivity training.
Still, despite a federal judge finding no evidence of antisemitism, the Zionist Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law claimed that the lawsuit settlement marked a major victory against antisemitic forces in the labor movement.
“Labor unions are supposed to be advocates for social justice and workplace equality. To find the oldest hatred in such places is deeply antithetical to their mission. This settlement is a landmark in the fight against anti-Semitism in this sector,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman of the Brandeis Center in a statement. “I am gratified by this outcome and resolved to support Jewish workers at any union around the country that is seeing this problem arise. Based on what we are hearing around the country, there will be more of these cases coming.”
Several Jewish members of the UAW local objected to the comments being considered antisemitic.
“I believe that the Brandeis Center weaponizes Jewish identity to justify genocide in Palestine and enforce censorship in the United States. But I—and Jewish members across ALAA—reject the death, destruction, and suppression promoted by the Zionist lobby in our name,” said the Jewish recording secretary of the union, Navruz Baum, in a statement. “Opposing Zionism’s genocidal ideology is not antisemitic. In fact, it’s a moral obligation for anyone of conscience."
Despite the settlement, ALAA UAW Local 2325 said that they would not be dissuaded from continuing to support the BDS movement against Israel.
“We have an unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people and will continue to fight any and all attempts to silence our members,” said ALAA UAW Local 2325 Vice President Ella Nalepka,
