High Country Times

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has served a subpoena for a deposition to Association of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW Local 2325 (Local 2325) President Lisa Ohta. The subpoena, which compels Ohta to participate in a deposition on May 29, 2024, is part of the Committee's ongoing investigation into the contentious vote and subsequent adoption of the “Resolution Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza, an End to the Israeli Occupation of Palestine, and Support for Workers’ Political Speech” (Resolution).

The Committee's investigation was prompted by concerns over potential retaliation against dissenting union members and possible violations of Local 2325 member rights guaranteed by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). The Resolution has sparked significant controversy within the union, with some aggrieved Local 2325 members resorting to litigation.

In her cover letter accompanying the subpoena, Foxx states: “The Committee on Education and the Workforce is continuing its investigation of alleged infringements on the rights of union members by Local 2325 through its consideration of a resolution on Gaza. Despite attempts to receive responsive information through voluntary and compulsory means, Local 2325 has impeded this investigation. Accordingly, we now compel your attendance for a deposition.”

She further adds: “This letter follows numerous attempts by the Committee to receive information about Local 2325’s alleged interference with its members’ rights under LMRDA related to the consideration and adoption of the Resolution.”

Foxx concludes her letter by saying: “Following Local 2325’s lack of cooperation and despite our attempts to provide reasonable accommodations, we invoked compulsory process to continue our investigation. … Local 2325 has continued to deliberately impede this investigation.”

To read Foxx's full cover letter, click here.

The conflict between Foxx's committee and Local 2325 began earlier this year. On January 29, 2024, the Committee requested information on the union’s vote and adoption of the Resolution. Local 2325 initially asked for more time to respond, which was granted, but later refused to cooperate with the inquiry. Despite additional extensions and offers of accommodation from the Committee, Local 2325 has not fully complied with the Committee's subpoena demands.