GR L 1573; (March, 1948) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-1573; March 29, 1948
KAISAHAN NG MGA MANGGAGAWA SA KAHOY SA PILIPINAS, petitioner-appellant, vs. GOTAMCO SAW MILL, respondent-appellee.
FACTS
The petitioner labor union declared a strike against the respondent company. The Court of Industrial Relations (CIR) issued an order dated September 23, 1946, approving a temporary agreement for the strikers to return to work under specified conditions, including a wage increase, and enjoining the union from staging another strike during the pendency of the case. Subsequently, the union staged another strike. The CIR, in its order of March 28, 1947, found the union in contempt for violating the September 23 order. The union challenged the validity of the September 23 order, arguing it was issued without a proper hearing and that Section 19 of Commonwealth Act No. 103 (the law empowering the CIR to issue such orders) was unconstitutional for allegedly imposing involuntary servitude.
ISSUE
1. Whether the CIR’s order of September 23, 1946, was validly issued.
2. Whether Section 19 of Commonwealth Act No. 103 is unconstitutional for compelling involuntary servitude.
RULING
1. The CIR’s order was valid. The Supreme Court held that the order was issued in accordance with Section 19 of Commonwealth Act No. 103 . The proceedings before the CIR, which involved conferences and negotiations with both parties, constituted a sufficient “hearing” within the meaning of the law. The order was a reasonable exercise of the CIR’s power to settle industrial disputes and prevent further prejudice to the public interest.
2. Section 19 is not unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the provision does not impose involuntary servitude. The order merely required the strikers to return to work under temporary conditions as part of a judicial settlement process they themselves invoked by bringing the case to the CIR. The workers remained free to resign from their employment if they found the conditions unacceptable. The constitutional prohibition against involuntary servitude was not violated. The orders and resolution of the CIR were affirmed.
AI Generated by Armztrong.