G.R. No. L-2548; January 28, 1950
DEE C. CHUAN & SONS, INC. vs. THE COURT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, ET AL.

FACTS

Petitioner Dee C. Chuan & Sons, Inc. appealed a decision of the Court of Industrial Relations (CIR) ordering it to grant a daily wage increase and paid vacation and sick leaves to its employees. The CIR also denied the company’s claims, including its prayer to declare illegal a strike staged by its laborers on April 12, 1947, and to claim damages therefrom. The company argued the strike was illegal as it violated the effective period of a previous CIR decision (dated November 23, 1946) that settled an earlier industrial dispute, contending that such decisions are effective for three years under Commonwealth Act No. 103 .

ISSUE

Whether the strike declared by the laborers was illegal for being staged during the effective period of a prior CIR decision.

RULING

No, the strike was legal and justified. The Supreme Court held that Section 17 of Commonwealth Act No. 103 does not expressly prohibit a strike during the effective duration of a CIR award or decision. A strike is not inherently inconsistent with an award’s efficacy, as the CIR retains the power to enforce its decisions and reopen questions involved therein. A strike may only be prohibited if the CIR issues an injunction during the pendency of a dispute. Since no such injunction was issued here, the strike was legal. This ruling rendered the company’s claims for damages and that the strikers had abandoned their employment untenable. The Court affirmed the CIR’s decision, including the grant of wage increases and paid leaves, based on the company’s financial capacity and the CIR’s authority to order such benefits.

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