ANN ARBOR, MI — On September 1, we learned that our parent union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), was ALSO served a FEDERAL grand jury subpoena for information regarding the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO). 

The subpoena was issued by Assistant US Attorney Maggie Smith and FBI special agent Kara Phipps, who are connected with the “Michigan 8” case that is seeking to criminalize protest activity and escalate the use of federal criminal charges against protesters speaking out against the genocide in Palestine. In addition, the AFT subpoena, like GEO’s subpoena, was signed the day we defeated politically motivated and baseless charges against our Union President, Hiab Teshome. 

Our attorneys have filed a “motion to quash” the subpoena in federal court, and we are currently awaiting a decision on that motion.

The AFT subpoena asks for the same information as GEO’s subpoena and asks for information dating back to January 2023, including a list of members, a list of current and former officers, membership and executive board meeting notes, all staff personnel records, and financial records. AFT has informed the government that it will not respond until GEO’s motion to quash has been adjudicated. 

Once again, the federal government is mounting a coordinated attack on labor. First by targeting GEO and now by attempting to undermine the union and obtain information about the union through AFT. We have witnessed coordinated attacks against unions and attempts to paint them as conspiratorial networks, as in the Minnesota 15 case.

This is an important moment for solidarity across the labor movement. When one union is targeted, it can have consequences for all of us. We cannot allow ourselves to be divided, isolated, or intimidated. We must stand together, hold the line collectively, and remain committed to protecting one another and defending our rights.

The strength of labor has always been rooted in our collective power and our willingness to stand up for one another. Now more than ever, we must show that solidarity in practice by supporting each other and workers facing these attacks and by refusing to let any one of us stand alone.

We must remain united, organized, and committed to responding to every challenge the way we approach every fight: collectively and grounded in solidarity.