Case Summary (G.R. No. L-5121)
Employer and Laborers: Pay During the Period of Strike
- The fundamental principle governing the relationship between labor and management is the concept of "a fair day's wage for a fair day's labor."
- Employees are not entitled to wages if they do not perform work, except in cases where they are unlawfully locked out, dismissed, or suspended.
- It is deemed unjust for employees to engage in litigation against their employer while being compensated by the employer.
Absence from Work Due to Strike or Hearings
- Employees who are absent from work due to participation in a strike or attendance at hearings may seek reimbursement from their union or charge their absence against vacation leave.
- The case involves a dispute between the National Labor Union and J. P. Heilbronn Co., where union representatives attended hearings and sought reimbursement for lost wages.
Court Proceedings and Initial Rulings
- The Secretary of Labor certified a dispute to the Court of Industrial Relations (CIR) regarding the National Labor Union and J. P. Heilbronn Co.
- The CIR granted a motion for reimbursement of wages to union representatives Armando Ocampo and Protacio Ty for days they were absent while attending hearings.
- The company opposed this motion, leading to an appeal after the CIR denied a petition for reconsideration.
Consistency with Previous Rulings
- The CIR's decision contradicts its prior rulings regarding wage payments to employees who voluntarily absented themselves from work.
- In previous cases, the CIR ruled that strikers are not entitled to wages for days not worked, emphasizing that wages are compensation for labor performed.
Legal Implications of Strikes and Absences
- Even if a strike is deemed legal, employees cannot claim wages for days they did not work.
- Employees attending hearings to establish claims against their employer should also forfeit pay for the duration of their absence.
- The principle of "a fair day's wage for a fair day's labor" applies, reinforcing that no work performed equates to no wages owed.
Potential for Reimbursement from Union or Leave
- Employees may seek reimbursement from their un...continue reading