Case Digest (G.R. No. 237036)
Facts:
The case involves Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. (APRI) and several unions representing its employees, specifically the Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc.-Tiwi Consolidated Union (APRI-TCU), APRI Tiwi Employees Labor Union (APRI-TIELU), and APRI-Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant Professional/Technical Employees Union-DIALOGWU (APRI-TGPPPTEU-D). The events leading to the case began on September 16, 2013, when APRI announced a redundancy program during a town hall meeting, which would result in the termination of approximately 20% of its workforce due to declining steam production at the Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant in Tiwi, Albay. The company cited the implementation of the Oracle Enterprise Business Suite as a contributing factor to the redundancy of certain positions.
Following the announcement, affected employees were individually notified that their positions were deemed redundant, with their employment set to terminate on October 20, 2013. They were provided with a Notice of Redu...
Case Digest (G.R. No. 237036)
Facts:
Parties Involved:
- Petitioners: Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc.-Tiwi Consolidated Union (APRI-TCU), APRI Tiwi Employees Labor Union (APRI-TIELU), and APRI-Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant Professional/Technical Employees Union-Dialogwu (APRI-TGPPPTEU-D), representing employees who were allegedly illegally dismissed.
- Respondents: Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. (APRI) and its officers, including Michael B. Pierce, Atty. Martin John Yasay, Juan Felipe Alfonso, Arnel Sumagui, Wilfredo G. Sarmago, and Roberto L. Urbano.
Background:
- APRI operates the Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant in Tiwi, Albay.
- On September 16, 2013, APRI announced a redundancy program due to declining steam production and the adoption of the Oracle Enterprise Business Suite, which streamlined operations.
- Affected employees were informed of their termination effective October 20, 2013, and were given separation pay, including a one-time special assistance of P400,000.00.
- Some employees voluntarily resigned, while others filed complaints for illegal dismissal, unfair labor practice, and other claims, alleging that the redundancy program was a pretext for union busting.
Key Allegations:
- APRI failed to comply with the notice requirement for redundancy.
- The redundancy program lacked justification and evidence of overstaffing.
- The criteria for selecting employees for redundancy were not disclosed.
- The timing of the redundancy program coincided with ongoing union negotiations, suggesting union busting.
Issue:
- Whether the Court of Appeals (CA) erred in upholding the validity of APRI's redundancy program.
- Whether the CA erred in upholding the validity of the dismissal of the petitioners' officers and members.
- Whether the CA erred in dismissing the claim of unfair labor practice in the form of union busting.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)