Caltex Filipino Managers and Supervisors Association

CALTEX FILIPINO MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION, Petitioner, v.
COURT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, CALTEX (PHILIPPINES), INC., W. E.

MENEFEE and B. R. EDWARDS,Respondents.
Facts of the Case:
The Caltex Filipino Managers and Supervisors Association is a labor
organization of Filipino managers and supervisors in Caltex (Philippines), Inc.
after it has registered as a labor organization, it informed the company of it
registration by sending a letter and the Company replied inquiring on the
position titles of the employees which the Association sought to represent.
The Association sent a set of proposals to the Company wherein one of the
demands was the recognition of the Association as the duly authorized
bargaining agency for managers and supervisors in the Company. the
Company countered stating that a distinction exists between representatives
of management and individuals employed as supervisors and that it is the
Companys belief that managerial employees are not qualified for
membership in a labor organization; hence, it suggested that the Association
institute a certification proceeding so as to remove any question with regard
to position titles that should be included in the bargaining unit. Due to the
hesitation of the association, the company initiated the certification
proceeding.
Association then filed notice to strike on the ground of refusal to
bargain of the company resorting to union busting. During the hearing of the
certification proceedings, Judge Tabigne cautioned the parties to maintain
the status quo; he specifically advised the employees not to go on strike,
making it clear, however, that in the presence of unfair labor practices they
could go on strike even without any notice. On the basis of the strike notice
filed on March 8, 1965 and in view of acts committed by the Company which
the Association considered as constituting unfair labor practice, the
Association struck on April 22, 1965, after the efforts exerted by the Bureau
of Labor Relations to settle the differences between the parties failed. The
company then filed an urgent petition praying for the declaration by the
court that the strike be illegal, that the employees who participated in the
strike be punished with contempt and be declared to have lost their
employment status, injunction and damages against the association. Such
urgent petition was frontally met by the Association with a motion to dismiss
questioning the jurisdiction of the industrial court. The motion to dismiss was
opposed by the Company and on May 17, 1965 the trial court denied the
same. Not satisfied with the order of May 17, 1965, the Association moved
for its reconsideration before respondent court en banc.
Because of the settlement between the parties on May 30, 1965 of
some of their disputes, the Association filed with respondent court under
date of June 3, 1965 a manifestation (to which was attached a copy of the
return-to-work agreement signed by the parties on May 30, 1965), to the

effect that the issues had become moot and academic. Under date of June
15, 1965 the Company filed a counter-manifestation disputing the
representations of the Association on the effect of the return-to-work
agreement. On the basis of the manifestation and counter-manifestation,
respondent court en banc issued a resolution on August 24, 1965 allowing
the withdrawal of the Associations motion for reconsideration against the
order of May 17, 1965, on the theory that there was justification for such
withdrawal. Relative to the resolution of August 24, 1965 the Company filed
a motion for clarification which the Association opposed on September 22,
1965, for it contended that such motion was in reality a motion for
reconsideration and as such filed out of time. But respondent court brushed
aside the Associations opposition and proceeded to clarify the resolution of
August 24, 1965 to mean that the Company was not barred from continuing
with Case (No. 1484-MC(1)).
At the hearing on September 1, 1965 of Case No. 1484-MC(1) the
Association insisted that the incident had become moot and academic and
must be considered dismissed and, at the same time, it offered to present
evidence, if still necessary, in order to support its contention. Respondent
court thereupon decided to secure evidence from the parties to enlighten it
on the interpretation of the provisions of the return-to-work agreement relied
upon by the Association as rendering the issues raised in Case No. 1484MC(1) already moot and academic. The trial court ruled in its order of
February 15, 1966 that under the return-to-work agreement the Company
had reserved its rights to prosecute Case No. 1484-MC(1) and, accordingly,
directed that the case be set for hearing covering the alleged illegality of the
strike. Within the prescribed period the Association filed a motion for
reconsideration of the February 15, 1966 order to which motion the Company
filed its opposition and, in due course, respondent court en banc issued its
resolution dated March 28, 1966 affirming the order. Appeal from the
interlocutory order was elevated by the Association to this Court but the
corresponding petition for review was summarily dismissed for being
premature. After a protracted preliminary investigation, the Associations
charge for unfair labor practices against the Company and its officials
docketed in a separate proceeding was given due course through the filing
by the prosecution division of respondent court. As noted by respondent
court in its decision under review, Case No. 4344-ULP was filed by the
Association because, according to the latter, the Company and some of its
officials, including B.F. Edwards, inquired into the organization of the
Association and he manifested his antagonism to it and its President; that
another Company official, W.E. Menefee, issued a statement of policy
designed to discourage employees and supervisors from joining labor
organizations; that the Company refused to bargain although the Association
commands majority representation; that due to the steps taken by the
Company to destroy the Association or discourage its members from
continuing their union membership, the Association was forced to file a strike
notice; that on April 22, 1965 it declared a strike; and that during the strike
the Company and its officers continued their efforts to weaken the
Association as well as its picket lines. The Company in its answer filed with
respondent court denied the charges of unfair labor practice. The two cases
were heard jointly.
Issues:
1. Whether or not the Court of Industrial Relations has jurisdiction over Case
No. 1484-MC(1);
2. Whether or not the strike staged by the Association on April 22, 1965 is
illegal and, incident thereto, whether respondent court correctly terminated
the employee status of Jose Mapa, Dominador Mangalino and Herminigildo
Mandanas and reprimanded and admonished the other officers of the
Association; and
3. Whether or not respondent court correctly absolved the respondents in
Case No. 4344-ULP from the unfair labor practice charge.
Ruling:
1) The Court of Industrial Relations has jurisdiction over Case No. 1484MC(1)
a) There can be no injunction issued against any strike except in only one
instance, that is, when a labor dispute arises in an industry
indispensable to the national interest and such dispute is certified by
the President of the Philippines to the Court of Industrial Relations in
compliance with Sec. 10 of Republic Act No. 875. (Social Security
Employees Association (PAFLU), Et. Al. v. The Hon. Edilberto Soriano, Et.
Al. (G.R. No. L-20100, July 16, 1964, 11 SCRA 518, 520) As a corollary to
this, an injunction in an uncertified case must be based on the strict
requirements of Sec. 9(d) of Republic Act No. 875; the purpose of such
an injunction is not to enjoin the strike itself, but only unlawful
activities. To the extent, then, that the Company sought injunctive relief
under Sec. 9(d) of Republic Act No. 875, respondent court had
jurisdiction over the Companys "Urgent Petition" dated April 26, 1965.
b)

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CALTEX FILIPINO MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION, Petitioner, v.

COURT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, CALTEX (PHILIPPINES), INC., W. E.

return-to-work agreement signed by the parties on May 30, 1965), to the

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