Lakas NG Mangagagawang Makabayan Vs Marcelo Enterprise & Divine
Lakas NG Mangagagawang Makabayan Vs Marcelo Enterprise & Divine
Lakas NG Mangagagawang Makabayan Vs Marcelo Enterprise & Divine
exclusive bargaining agent of the Divine Word University. The union submitted its proposals on March 7,
1985. The Universitys reply requested that a preliminary conference be held on May 28, 1985. Before the
conference the VP of the union resigned and withdrew the proposals hence the PC was cancelled.
After three years, the affiliate of the union, Associated Labor Union, requested a conference with the
University for the purposes of continuing the bargaining negotiations. Not having heard from the
university, a follow up request was sent and warned the university from intereference. The university
maintained it silence.
The union thereafter filed a notice of strike on the grounds of bargaining deadlock and ULP, refusal to
bargain, discrimination and coercion. Conferences were held after the filing of the notice of strike and the
parties came to an agreement.
It was found however, that the university filed for a petition for certification election one hour before the
agreement was concluded.
The union then submitted proposals which were again ignored by the university. Marathon conciliations
were held to no avail.
The Sec of Labor assumed jurisdiction and directed that all striking workers to report back to work within
24 hours.
The med-arbiter issued an order directing the conduct of the certification election. To Which the Sec of
Labor directed to hold in abeyance. The Sec of Labor dismissed the cases of ULP filed by the union and
the university.
ISSUE:
Whether or not certification election can be held after CBA was agreed upon after 5 years.
HELD:
An employer who is requested to bargain collectively may file a petition for certification election any time
except upon clear showing the existence of either:
1) petition is filed within one year from the issuance of a final certification election result OR
2) when a bargaining deadlock had been submitted to conciliation or arbitration or had become the
subject of a valid notice of strike or lockout.
Deadlock is the counteraction of things producing entire stoppage: a state of inaction or of neutralization
caused by the opposition of persons or factions. There is a deadlock when there is a complete blocking or
stoppage resulting from the action of equal and opposed forces.
The records of the case shows that there was no reasonable effort at good faith bargaining on the part of
the university.
Procedure:
1) proposal
2) conference in case of differences
3) conciliation
4) the parties are prohibited from exercising acts which would impede or disrupt the early settlement of
the case
5) exert efforts for amicable settlement
The union after submitting proposals which were ignored by the university, remained passive. Technically,
the university has the right to file the petition for certification election as there was no bargaining deadlock.
However such right was forfeited by its inaction.