Parties reach settlement agreement: Union remains steadfast in commitment to Palestine
Statement issued by the ALAA Executive Board November 14, 2025
The Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (ALAA UAW Local 2325) has settled the lawsuit brought against it by the Brandeis Center on behalf of three former union members. The suit alleged that internal charges of conduct unbecoming a union member violated the Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act (LMRDA). A federal court dismissed allegations that the filing and processing of the internal charges violated federal, state, and city anti-discrimination laws. The Union, as part of a settlement related solely to the remaining LMRDA claim, will pay the three plaintiffs a total sum of $315k and will engage in training and legal review to ensure ongoing compliance with the LMRDA.
In 2023, ALAA was one of the first locals in the UAW to follow the call of Palestinian trade unions to demand a ceasefire, an end to Israeli apartheid, and a ban on the sale and transport of weapons to Israel. For this advocacy, ALAA was quickly targeted by the partisan House Committee on Education and Workforce, as part of a wide-ranging and unconstitutional campaign to trample pro-Palestinian speech in unions and universities. ALAA stood up to that effort, and it will continue to fight any attempts to bully its members into silence. It is proud to be a fighting union, and is proud to take some bruises as it stands for its principles of democracy and freedom for all. “We have an unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people and will continue to fight any and all attempts to silence our members,” said Ella Nalepka, ALAA UAW Local 2325 Vice President.
Make no mistake: the Brandeis Center’s lawsuit is simply the latest in a long salvo of attempts to silence speech in support of Palestine and in opposition to Israel’s apartheid regime and war crimes. “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. Opposing Zionism’s genocidal ideology is not antisemitic. In fact, it’s a moral obligation for anyone of conscience." said Navruz Baum, ALAA UAW Local 2325 Recording Secretary. ALAA's 2023 Resolution is consistent with the public’s now overwhelming condemnation of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and calls for a cease fire.
The Brandeis Center’s press release distorts this settlement, attempting to paint it as a victory against antisemitism, and erroneously claims there was wide condemnation of this union’s resolution. The settlement reached by the parties was in no way an acknowledgement of antisemitism within ALAA, but merely a resolution of plaintiffs’ LMRDA claim – the only claim not dismissed by the court. ALAA refused to concede to any of the Plaintiffs’ or the Brandeis Center’s ideological demands. Meanwhile, the Brandeis Center applauds and engages in similar union-busting witch hunts and attacks on higher education as those conducted by politicians who are beholden to the Israel lobby. The lawfare tactics of Brandeis Center has allowed it to extract funds ALAA would otherwise use to fight for better working conditions for legal services workers.
"We have been subjected to continued attacks from outside forces over our democratic process as well as our unwavering support for Palestine. If the Brandeis Center wishes to claim victory here, they should proudly own their actions: they have taken time from officers of this union better spent on servicing our members, and they cherry-picked self-serving statements to include in their filings that have led to public harassment of our members," said Lisa Ohta, ALAA UAW Local 2325 President. "Our focus has always been on protecting the rights of workers and fighting for our clients and communities."
The ALAA Executive Board reaffirms this union’s steadfast support for the Resolution and echoes members’ calls to end Israeli apartheid and the occupation of Palestine. Defending the human rights of Palestinians and opposing an illegal occupation is not antisemitism. ALAA will continue to organize and fight for our members’ right to free speech, for improved working conditions, and for all workers who represent and advocate on behalf of poor and working class communities.