S.

 Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  

Page  1  of  10  

Preliminary exclusive   jurisdiction   to   hear   and   decide,  

within  30  calendar  days  after  the  submission  of  
Is the Labor Code a social legislation? Why or the   case   by   the   parties   for   decision   without  
why not? extension,   even   in   the   absence   of  
  Yes.   Social   legislation   is   defined   as   stenographic   notes,   the   following   cases  
those   laws   that   provide   particular   kinds   of   involving   all   workers,   whether   agricultural   or  
protection   or   benefits   to   society   or   segments   non-­‐agricultural:  
thereof   in   furtherance   of   social   justice.   In   this   (1) Unfair  labor  practice  cases;  
light,   the   Labor   Code   may   be   considered   a   (2) Termination  disputes;  
piece   of   social   legislation   as   it   seeks   to   protect   (3) If   accompanied   with   a   claim   for  
and  promote  the  rights  of  workers,  particularly   reinstatement,   those   cases   that  
their   rights   to   self-­‐organization,   collective   workers  may  file  involving    wages,  
bargaining   and   negotiation,   peaceful   and   rates   of   pay,   hours   of   work   and  
concerted   activities   and   entitlement   to   other   terms   and   conditions   of  
security  of  tenure,  humane  conditions  of  work   employment;  
and  living  wage.  This  is  in  line  with  the  policy  of   (4) Claims   for   actual,   moral,  
the   State   that   “those   who   have   less   in   life   exemplary   and   other   forms   of  
should  have  more  in  law.”   damages   arising   from   the  
employer-­‐employee  relations;  
What is the four-fold test in determining (5) Cases  arising  from  any  violation  of  
employer-employee relationship? Why is it Article  264  of  this  Code,  including  
important to determine the existence of questions  involving  the  legality  of  
employer employee relationship? strikes  and  lockouts;  
  The   existence   of   an   employer-­‐ (6) Except   claims   for   Employees  
employee   relationship   is   determined   by   the   Compensation,   Social   Secuirty,  
presence   of   the   following   elements,   namely:   Medicare   and   maternity   benefits,  
(a)   selection   and   engagement   of   the   all   other   claims,   arising   from  
employee;  (b)  payment  of  wages;  (c)  power  to   employer-­‐employee,   including  
dismiss;   and   (d))   power   to   control   the   those   of   persons   in   domestic   or  
employee’s   conduct.   The   fourth   is   the   most   household   service,   involving   an  
important  element.     amount   exceeding   5k,   regardless  
  An   employer-­‐employee   relationship   is   of   whether   accompanied   with   a  
essential   in   determining   whether   a   claim  for  reinstatement.  
controversy  is  a  labor  dispute  and  thus,  subject     The   Commission   shall   have   exclusive  
to   the   jurisdiction   of   the   proper   quasi-­‐judicial   appellate  jurisdiction  over  all  cases  decided  by  
body.     Labor  Arbiters.  
  Furthermore,   it   is   important   to     Cases   arising   from   the   interpretation  
determine   the   existence   of   employer-­‐ of  collective  bargaining  agreements  and  those  
employee   relationship   in   the   context   of   labor   arising  from  the  interpretation  or  enforcement  
relations   because   the   application   of   most   of   of   company   personnel   policies   shall   be  
the  provisions  of  the  labor  code  as  to  creation   disposed   of   by   the   Labor   Arbiter   by   referring  
of   labor   organizations,   collective   bargaining   the   same   to   the   grievance   machinery   and  
and   unfair   labor   practices   are   primarily   voluntary   arbitration   as   may   be   provided   in  
founded   on   the   existence   of   an   employer-­‐ said  agreements.  
employee  relationship.      
 
Are technical rules binding in any proceeding
National Labor Relations Commission before the NLRC? On what grounds is an appeal
  to the NLRC entertained? Within what period
State the jurisdiction of the Labor Arbiter and must appeal be taken?
the NLRC.   No,  proceedings  before  administrative  
  Art.   224   of   the   Labor   Code   provides   and  quasi-­‐judicial  bodies,  like  the  NLRC,  are  not  
that  the  Labor  Arbiters  shall  have  original  and  

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  2  of  10  

bound   by   the   technical   rules   of   procedure   in   of   any   or   all   prohibited   or   unlawful   acts   or   to  
the  adjudication  of  cases.   require   the   performance   of   a   particular   act  
  Art.  227  of  the  LC  provides  that  in  any   when:  
proceeding   before   the   Commission   or   the   (a) prohibited   or   unlawful   acts   have  
labor   arbiters,   rules   of   evidence   prevailing   in   been   threatened   and   will   be  
courts  of  law  or  equity  shall  not  be  controlling   committed   unless   restrained   or  
and   it   is   the   spirit   and   intention   of   the   law   that   have  been  committed  and  will  be  
the   Commission   and   its   members   shall   use   continued  unless  restrained;  
every   and   all   reasonable   means   to   ascertain   (b) substantial   and   irreparable   injury  
the   facts   n   each   case   speedily   and   objectively   to   complainant’s   property   will  
and   without   regard   to   technicalities   of   law   or   follow;  
procedure,  all  in  the  interest  of  due  process.     (c) greater   injury   will   be   inflicted  
  Decisions  of  the  labor  arbiter  may  only   upon  complainant  by  the  denial  of  
be   appealed   to   the   NLRC   on   the   following   relief   than   will   be   inflicted   upon  
grounds:   defendant   by   the   granting   of  
(a) there   is   prima   facie   evidence   of   relief;  
abuse  of  discretion  on  the  part  of   (d) complainant   has   no   adequate  
the  Labor  Arbiter;   remedy  at  law;  and  
(b) the   decision,   order   or   award   was   (e) public   officers   charged   with   the  
secured   through   fraud   or   duty   to   protect   complainant’s  
coercion,   including   graft   and   property   are   unable   or   unwilling  
corruption;   to  furnish  adequate  protection.  
(c) if   made   purely   on   questions   of    
law;  and   Bureau of Labor Relations
(d) if  serious  errors  in  the  findings  of  
facts   are   raised   which   would   (a) What is the jurisdiction of the BLR?
cause   grave   or   irreparable   (b) Did the employer commit ULP in
damage  or  injury  to  the  appellant.     terminating the employee?
  (c) Who has jurisdiction over termination
May a third person institute a separate legal disputes?
action with regular courts for the issuance of a (d) What course of action would you advice
writ of injunction? On what grounds? Give the management should take on the
example. request of the union to terminate
  Yes.   In   the   case   of   Yupangco   Cotton   employee on account of the union
Mills   v.   CA,   the   Court   ruled   that   an   RTC   security closed-shop clause provided by
injunction   against   the   labor   arbiter   and   the   the CBA?
NLRC  is  allowed.  The  general  rule  that  no  court   (e) At what instance shall the union be
has   the   power   to   interfere   by   injunction   with   responsible to pay backwages and
the   judgments   or   decrees   of   another   court   damages?
with   concurrent   or   coordinate   jurisdiction   (f) Will the company be liable as well if the
applies   only   when   no   third-­‐party   claimant   is   union is adjudged liable?
involved.      
  When   a   third-­‐party,   or   a   stranger,   to     The  Bureau  of  Labor  Relations  and  all  
the   labor   dispute   asserts   a   claim   over   the   the   Labor   Relations   Divisions   in   the   regional  
property   levied   upon,   the   claimant   may   offices   of   the   Department   of   Labor   shall   have  
vindicate  his    claim  by  an  independent  action  in   original  and  exclusive  authority  to  act,  at  their  
the   proper   civil   court   which   may   stop   the   own   initiative   or   upon   request   of   either   or  
execution   of   the   judgment   on   property   not   both  parties,  on  all  inter-­‐union  and  intra-­‐union  
belonging  to  the  judgment  debtor.   conflicts,   and   all   disputes,   grievances   or  
    problems   arising   from   or   affecting   labor-­‐
When can an injunction to issue?   management   relations   in   all   workplaces  
  The   NLRC   has   the   power   to   enjoin   or   whether   agricultural,   non-­‐agricultural,   except  
restrain   any   actual   or   threatened   commission   those   arising   from   the   implementation   or  

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  3  of  10  

interpretation   of   collective   bargaining   whimsicality.   Being   guilty   of   bad   faith,   the  

agreements   which   shall   be   the   subject   of   union  should  bear  the  costs.    
grievance   procedure   and/or   voluntary    
arbitration.    
  No,   the   employer   did   not   commit   an  
act   of   ULP.   Dismissing   the   complainant   was   Title IV
done  pursuant  to  a  valid  union  security  clause  
–  a  closed  shop  agreement  which  requires  the    
employer  to  employ  only  those  who  remain  to    
be  members  in  good  standing  of  the  union.  In   Labor Organizations
the   instant   case,   the   employer   is   constrained  
to  abide  by  the  union’s  wishes.  If  indeed  there  
What is a legitimate labor organization? Does non-
is  unfair  labor  practice  in  the  instant  case,  it  is  
registration make a labor organization illegitimate?
not   committed   by   the   employer   but   the   herein  
A   legitimate   labor   organization   refers  
labor  union.  
to   any   union   or   association   of   employees   in  
  It   is   the   labor   arbiter   and   the   NLRC  
the   private   sector   which   exists   in   whole   or   in  
which   has   jurisdiction   over   the   case   as   this   is  
part   for   the   purpose   of   collective   bargaining,  
not  purely  an  intra-­‐union  disputes  but  involves  
mutual   aid,   interest,   cooperation,   protection  
an   interpretation   of   the   CBA   provisions   and  
or  other  lawful  purposes  which  is  registered  or  
whether  or  not  there  was  an  illegal  dismissal.  If  
reported  with  the  DOLE.  
the   only   question   was   the   legality   of   the  
  Non-­‐registration   does   not   make   a  
expulsion   of   the   employee   from   the   Union,  
labor   organization   illegitimate.   It   is   simply  
then  undoutedly,  the  question  is  cognizable  by  
unregistered   and   has   no   legal   personality.   It  
by   the   BLR   but   since   the   question   extends   to  
exists   legally   but   does   not   possess   the   rights  
the   dismissal   of   the   employee,   the   case   is  
of  a  legitimate  labor  organization.  
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  labor  arbiters.    
 
  As   there   is   a   valid   union   security  
Rights and Conditions of Membership
clause,  management  is  constrained  to  abide  by  
the   request   of   the   union.   The   management  
Define check-off and agency fee.
however   should   do   its   best   not   to   interfere  
  A   check-­‐off   is   a   method   of   deducting  
and   effect   dismissal   in   good   faith   and   in  
from   an   employee’s   pay   at   prescribed   period,  
accordance  with  due  process.  
the   amounts   due   the   union   for   fees,   fines   or  
  The   Union   is   liable   to   pay   for   the  
assessments.   This   is   valid   and   considered   as  
backwages  and  other  fringe  benefits  and  costs  
one   of   the   lawful   deductions   from   an  
that   may   be   ordered   by   the   labor   arbiter.   In  
employee’s  wage.  
the  case  of  Manila  Mandarin  Employees  Union  v.  
  An   agency   fee   is   the   amount,  
NLRC,   the   Court   pointed   out   that   the   hotel  
equivalent   to   union   dues,   which   a   non-­‐union  
would   not   have   compelled   Beloncio   to   go   on  
member  pays  to  the  union  because  he  benefits  
foced   leave   were   it   not   for   the   union’s  
from   the   CBA   negotiated   by   the   union.   In  
insistence   and   demand.   The   employer   was  
negotiating   the   CBA,   the   union   served   as   the  
thus  compelled  to  dismiss  the  employee.  While  
employee’s  agent.    
a   closed-­‐shop   agreement   is   a   valid   union  
 
security   clause,   the   same   however   should   not  
Coverage
be  used  by  union  officials  against  an  employer,  
much   less   their   own   members,   except   with   (a) What law governs employees in the
high   sense   of   responsibility,   fairness,   prudence   government sector and those in the private
and   judiciousness.   A   union   member   may   not   sector? (b) Why is it important to know whether
be  expelled  from  her  union,  and  consequently   one is a government employee or a private
from   her   job,   for   personal   or   impetuous   employee? (c) Can government employees organize
reasons   or   for   causes   foreign   to   the   closed   and form unions? If yes, for what purposes? (d)
shop   agreement   and   in   a   manner   Can government employees strike? Why or why
characterized   by   arbitrariness   and   not?

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  4  of  10  

  (a)   In   terms   of   the   right   to   self-­‐ public   service,   government   employees   cannot  
organization,   the   Labor   Code   governs   hamper  the  same  by  staging  strikes.  
employees   of   the   private   sector.   Art.   252   in    
particular  provides  that  “all  persons  employed   Distinguish managerial, supervisory and rank-and-
in   commercial,   industrial   and   agricultural   file employees? Is each eligible to join a union?
enterprises  and  in  religious,  charitable,  medical     Article   219   of   the   Labor   Code   defines  
or   educational   institutions   whether   operating   the  following  as:  
for   profit   or   not,   shall   have   the   right   to   self-­‐   A   managerial   employee   is   one   who   is  
organization   and   to   from,   join,   or   assist   labor   vested   with   powers   or   prerogatives   to   law  
organizations   of   their   own   choosing   for   down   and   execute   management   policies  
purposes   of   collective   bargaining.   Ambulant,   and/or  to  hire,  transfer,  suspend,  lay  off,  recall,  
intermittent   and   itinerant   workers,   self-­‐ discharge,  assign  or  discipline  employees.  They  
employed   workers,   rural   workers   and   those   are   prohibited   from   joining   or   assisting   labor  
without   definite   employers   may   form   labor   unions  by  virtue  of  the  confidential  or  fiduciary  
organizations  for  mutual  aid  and  protection.   character  of  their  employment.  
  While  those  in  the  government  and  in     Supervisory   employees   are   those  
GOCC   with   original   charters   are   governed   by   who,   in   the   interest   of   the   employer,  
Civil  Service  Laws.   effectively   recommend   such   managerial  
  (b)   It   is   important   to   determine   actions  if  the  exercise  of  such  authority  is  not  
whether   an   employee   is   a   government   merely   routinary   or   clerical   in   nature   but  
employee   or   a   private   employee   for   the   requires   the   use   of   independent   judgment.  
purpose  of  determining  which  law  governs  his   Supervisory  employees  may  form  or  join  labor  
employment   and   which   court,   tribunal   or   organizations  of  their  own,  but  not  eligible  for  
quasi-­‐judicial   body   has   jurisdiction   over   membership   in   a   labor   organization   of   the  
disputes   arising   from   his   employment.   It   rank-­‐and-­‐file  employees.  
should   be   pointed   out   that   the   rights   and     All   employees   not   falling   within   any   of  
benefits   arising   out   of   the   Labor   Code   which   the  above  definitions  are  considered  rank-­‐and-­‐
governs   employees   in   the   private   sector   are   file   employees.   These   are   employees   whose  
different   from   those   granted   under   the   civil   tasks   may   be   clerical,   manual   and   routinary  
service  laws.   and   does   not   require   the   use   of   independent  
  (c)   Yes,   government   employees   can   judgment.  They  may  form,  join  or  assists  labor  
form   and   join   unions.   The   Constitution   itself   unions.    
provides  that  the  right  of  the  people,  including    
those   employed   in   the   public   and   private   Who is a confidential employee? Can he join a
sectors,   to   form   unions,   associations   or   union? Why or why not?
societies  for  purposes  not  contrary  to  law  shall     Confidential   employees   assist   and   act  
not   be   abridged.   However,   the   government   in  a  confidential  capacity  to,  or  have  access  to  
employee’s  right  to  self-­‐organization  is  limited   confidential   matters   of,   persons   who   exercise  
only   for   the   furtherance   and   protection   of   managerial   functions   in   the   field   of   labor  
their   interests   or   for   mutual   aid   and   benefit,   relations.   These   employees   are   those   who   by  
and   not   for   the   purpose   of   collective   reason   of   their   positions   or   nature   of   their  
bargaining   which   is   granted   to   employees   in   work  are  required  to  assist  or  act  in  a  fiduciary  
the  private  sector.  This  is  because  most  of  the   manner   to   managerial   employees   and   are  
rights  and  privileges,  i.e.  wages,  hours  of  work,   likewise   privy   to   sensitive   and   highly  
etc.   are   fixed   by   law   and   not   subject   to   confidential   records.   (Metrolab   Industries   v.  
negotiation.     Confesor)    
  (d)   No,   the   government   employees     Thus,   they   cannot   join,   form   or   assist  
cannot  strike.  While  they  are  granted  the  right   labor   unions.   They   cannot   even   be   made   to  
to   form   and   join   unions,   organizations   and   pay   agency   fees   or   be   subjected   to   union  
associations,  they  are  not  granted  the  right  to   security   clause   since   they   are   not   part   of   the  
strike.   This   is   because   the   nature   of   their   bargaining   unit.   The   ineligibility   which   applies  
service  is  imbued  with  public  interest.  Being  in   to   managerial   employees   equally   applies   to  
them.    

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  5  of  10  

  the   ones   who   run   and   operate   the   business.  

An   employee   of   such   a   cooperative   who   is   a  
Is the prohibition on managerial employees from member   and   a   co-­‐owner   thereof   cannot  
joining unions unconstitutional for being violative invoke   the   right   to   collective   bargaining   for  
of the right to join organizations?   certainly,   an   owner   cannot   bargain   with  
  No.   The   controversy   has   been   settled   himself  or  his  co-­‐owners.    
in   the   case   of   United   Pepsi-­‐Cola   Supervisory     However,   employees   of   the  
Union  v.  Laguesma  when  the  Court  emphasized   cooperatives   who   are   not   members   or   co-­‐
that   the   same   is   constitutional.   The   rationale   owners  are  entitled  to  exercise  the  rights  of  all  
for   this   inhibition   is   that   if   managerial   workers   to   organization,   collective   bargaining  
employees   would   belong   to   or   be   affiliated   negotiations  and  others  as  are  enshrined  in  the  
with  a  Union,  the  Union  might  not  be  assured   Constitution   and   existing   laws   of   the   country.  
of   their   loyalty   with   the   Union   in   view   of   the   (San  Jose  Electric  Service  v.  Ministry  of  Labor)  
evident   conflict   of   interest.   The   Union   can   also    
become   company-­‐dominated   with   the   Collective Bargaining Agreements
presence   of   managerial   employees   in   the  
Union  membership.   What is collective bargaining and its
  nature? What are the four processes involved in
The employees of IRRI/ICMC want to hold a collective bargaining?
certification election for the purpose of having   Collective   bargaining   or   negotiations  
a union. Can they legally do so? Can aliens working towards   collective   agreement   is   a   democratic  
in the country with a valid work permit exercise framework   to   stabilize   the   relation   between  
the right to self-organization? labor   and   management   to   create   a   climate   of  
  A   certification   election   cannot   be   sound  and  stable  industrial  peace.  
conducted   in   an   international   organization     Collective   bargaining   involves   four  
which   the   Philippine   government   has   granted   processes:   (a)   negotiation   between   the  
immunity   from   local   jurisdiction.   A   certification   representatives   of   management   and   the   union  
election   cannot   be   viewed   as   an   independent   over   “wages,   hours   and   other   terms   of  
and  isolated  process.  There  is  an  eventuality  of   employment;”   (b)   the   execution   of   a   written  
court   litigation   from   which   international   contract   embodying   the   terms   agreed  
organizations   are   precisely   shielded   to   thereupon;   (c)   negotiation   of   any   question  
safeguard   them   from   the   disruption   of   their   arising   as   to   the   interpretation   or   application  
functions.  (ICMC  v.  Calleja)     of   the   contract;   and   (4)   negotiation   over   the  
  The   Labor   Code   provides   that   terms   of   a   new   contract   or   propose  
foreigners,   whether   natural   or   juridical,   as   well   modifications,   when   an   existing   agreement   is  
as  foreign  corporations,  are  strictly  prohibited   validly  opened  for  negotiations.  
from  engaging  directly  or  indirectly  in  all  forms  
of   trade   union   activities.   However,   aliens   What are the phases of the process of
working  in  the  country  with  valid  work  permits   collective bargaining?
may   exercise   the   right   of   self-­‐organization   if   The   phases   are:   (1)   the   legislative  
they  are  nationals  of  a  country  that  grants  the   phase  which  is  the  negotiation  of  contracts;  (2)  
same  or  similar  right  to  Filipino  workers.   the   executive   phase   which   is   the  
  administration  of  contracts;  and  (3)  the  judicial  
Can members of cooperatives form unions and phase   which   is   the   interpretation   and  
invoke the right to collective bargaining? How application  of  contracts.    
about employees of cooperatives who are not
members? What is the life span of the CBA with respect to
  No,   members   of   cooperative   cannot   the representational aspect and as to economic
form   unions   and   invoke   the   right   of   collective   provisions?
bargaining.   A   cooperative   by   its   nature   is   The  CBA  insofar  as  the  representation  
different   from   an   ordinary   business   concern   aspect   is   concerned   shall   be   for   a   term   of   5  
being   run   either   by   persons,   partnerships   or   years  in  which  time  no  petition  questioning  the  
corporations.   Its   owners   and/or   members   are   majority   status   of   the   incumbent   bargaining  

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  6  of  10  

agent  shall  be  entertained  and  no  certification     Art.   252   of   the   Labor   Code   guarantees  
election   shall   be   conducted   by   the   DOLE   that   all   persons   employed   in   commercial,  
outside   of   the   60-­‐day   freedom   period.   All   industrial   and   agricultural   enterprises   and   in  
other   aspects,   or   the   economic   provisions,   religious,   charitable,   medical   or   educational  
shall   be   renegotiated   not   later   than   3   years   institutions   shall   have   the   right   to   self-­‐
after  its  execution.   organization   and   to   form,   join,   or   assist   labor  
  organizations.  This  is  a  mere  reiteration  of  the  
  *Representation   aspect   refers   to   the   constitutional   right   to   join   organizations   which  
identity   and   majority   status   of   the   union   that   include   the   right   not   to   join   organizations.  
negotiated   the   CBA   as   the   exclusive   Thus,   an   employee   cannot   be   compelled   to  
representative   of   the   bargaining   unit.   All   other   join  an  association.    
provisions  refers  to  the  CBA,  economic  as  well     However,    a  closed-­‐shop  agreement  is  
as  non-­‐economic  provisions  of  the  CBA.     not   a   violation   of   this   constitutional   right.   In  
  Liberty   Flour   Mills   Employees   v.   Liberty   Flour  
What shall a CBA include? And what is the Mills  ,  the  SC  emphasized  that  it  is  the  policy  of  
rationale or legislative intent behind the fixing of the   State   to   promote   unionism   to   enable   the  
such terms? workers  to  negotiate  with  management  on  the  
  Art.   264   provides   that   any   collective   same  level  and  with  more  persuasiveness  than  
bargaining   agreement   that   the   parties   may   if   they   were   to   individually   and   independently  
enter   into   shall   insofar   as   representation   bargain   for   the   improvement   of   their  
aspect   is   concerned,   be   for   a   term   of   5   years   respective   conditions.   The   Constitutional  
during  which  time  no  petition  questioning  the   guaranty   to   collectively   bargaining,  
majority   status   of   the   incumbent   bargaining   negotiations   and   peaceful   concerted   actions  
agent  shall  be  entertained  and  no  certification   including   the   right   to   strike   may   be   easily  
election   shall   be   conducted   by   the   DOLE   thwarted  if  every  worker  were  to  choose  to  go  
outside   the   60-­‐day   period   immediately   before   his  own  separate  way  instead  of  joining  his  co-­‐
the   expiry   of   such   five-­‐year   term.   All   other   employees   in   planning   collection   action   and  
provisions   of   the   CBA   shall   be   renegotiated   presenting   a   united   front   when   they   sit   down  
not  later  than  3  years  after  its  execution.     to   bargain   with   their   employers.   It   is   for   this  
  The   five-­‐year   term   for   the   reason  that  the  law  has  sanctioned  stipulations  
representation   aspect   is   fixed   so   that   any   for   the   union   shop   and   the   closed   shop   as   a  
“outside  union”  could  not  disturb  the  political   means  of  encouraging  the  workers  to  join  and  
situation   in   the   enterprise   thereby   allowing   a   support   the   labor   union   of   their   own   choice   as  
longer   period   of   effective   industrial   peace;   their  representative  in  the  negotiation  of  their  
while   the   shorter   3-­‐year   period   for   the   other   demands   and   the   protection   of   their   interest  
provisions   (the   terms   and   conditions   or   vis-­‐à-­‐vis  the  employer.    
economic  provisions)  to  protect  the  economic     There  are  however  exceptions,  and  in  
gains  of  the  workers.   the   case   of   Victoriano   v.   Elizalde   Rope   Worker’s  
  Union,   the   Court   maintained   that   religious  
A union had a closed shop agreement with the freedom   is   a   fundamental   personal   right   and  
management. Victoriano however left the union on liberty  and  occupies  a  preferred  position  in  the  
account that the same is not allowed by his hierarchy   of   values.   Contractual   rights   must  
religion. Because of this, the union asked that the yield   to   freedom   of   religion.   As   such,   while  
management terminate his employment pursuant ordinarily   an   employee   may   be   compelled   to  
to the closed shop agreement. Victoriano however join  a  union  or  association  pursuant  to  a  closed  
argued that the same is a violation of his right shop   agreement,   the   same   does   not   apply  
to religious freedom. where   the   worker   refuses   to   do   so   on   the  
a) Is the closed shop agreement ground  of  his  religious  belief.  
unconstitutional for violating the  
right to join organizations? What is a closed-shop agreement? What is its
b) May Victoriano be compelled to join purpose? Is it a valid agreement?  
a union?   A  closed  agreement  is  a  kind  of  union  
security   agreement   which   provides   that   only  

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  7  of  10  

union   members   can   be   hired   by   the   company   (e) Denies   to   nonunion   workers  
and   they   must   remain   as   union   members   to   equal   opportunity   for  
retain  employment  in  the  company.     employment.  
  Yes,   it   is   a   valid   agreement.    
Jurisprudence   has   consistently   recognized   Distinguish certification election, consent election
closed   shop   agreements   as   a   valid   form   of   and run-off election.  
union   security   and   the   same   is   a   not   a     Certification   election   means   the  
restriction   of   the   right   of   freedom   of   process   of   determining   through   secret   ballot  
association  guaranteed  by  the  Constitution.   the   sole   and   exclusive   representative   of   the  
  The   State   promotes   unionism   to   employees   in   an   appropriate   bargaining   unit,  
enable   the   workers   to   negotiate   with   for   purposes   of   collective   bargaining   or  
management   on   the   same   level   and   with   more   negotiation.  
persuasiveness   than   if   they   were   to     A  run-­‐off  election  is  when  an  election  
individually  and  independently  bargain  for  the   which   provides   for   three   or   more   choices  
improvement   of   their   respective   conditions.     results   in   none   of   the   contending   unions  
By  holding  out  to  loyal  members  a  promise  of   receiving  a  majority  of  the  valid  votes  cast  and  
employment   in   the   closed-­‐shop,   it   wields   there   is   no   unresolved   challenge   of   vote   or  
group  solidarity.     election   protests,   there   shall   be   another  
  election   between   two   unions   which   received  
Give 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages of closed the  highest  number  of  votes,  provided  that  the  
shop agreements.   number  of  votes  of  the  contending  unions  is  at  
  The  advantages  are:   least  50%  of  the  number  of  votes  cast.    
(a) increases   the   strength   and     A   consent   election   has   the   same  
bargaining  power  of  LO;   purpose   as   a   certification   election   –   that   is   to  
(b) prevents   non-­‐union   workers   determine   which   union   should   serve   as   the  
from   sharing   in   the   benefits   of   bargaining   agent.   The   difference   is   that   a  
the   union’s   activities   without   certification   election   is   ordered     by   the   DOLE,  
also  sharing  its  obligations;   while   a   consent   election   is   voluntarily   agreed  
(c) prevents   the   weakening   of   upon   by   the   parties,   with   or   without   the  
standards   caused   by   intervention  of  the  DOLE.    
competition   with   nonunion    
workers;   What is the requirement in order that a Med-
(d) enables   labor   organizations   Arbiter shall automatically call for an election in
effectively   to   enforce   collective   an organized establishment? In unorganized
agreements;   establishment?
(e) facilitates   the   collection   of   dues   In   organized   establishments,   Art.   267  
and  enforcement  of  union  rules   that  the  Med  Arbiter  shall  automatically  order  
  While  the  disadvantages  are:   an   election   by   secret   ballot   when   the   verified  
(a) Results   in   the   monopolistic   petition  is  supported  by  the  written  consent  of  
domination   of   employment   by   at   least   25%   of   all   the   employees   in   the  
labor  organizations;   bargaining   unit   to   ascertain   the   will   of   the  
(b) Interferes   with   the   freedom   of   employees   in   the   appropriate   bargaining   unit.  
contract   and   personal   liberty   of   To   have   a   valid   election,   at   least   a   majority   of  
the  individual  worker   all   eligible   voters   in   the   unit   must   have   cast  
(c) Compels  employers  to  discharge   their   vote.   The   labor   union   receiving   the  
all   nonunion   workers   regardless   majority  of  the  valid  votes  shall  be  certified  as  
of   efficiency,   length   of   service,   the   exclusive   bargaining   agent   of   all   the  
etc.   workers  in  the  unit.  
(d) Facilitates   the   use   of   labor     In   unorganized   establishments,   Art.  
organizations   by   unscrupulous   268   provides   that   a   certification   election   shall  
union  leaders  for  the  purpose  of   automatically   be   conducted   by   the   Med-­‐
extortion,  restraint  of  trade,  etc.   Arbiter   upon   the   filing   of   a   petition   by   any  
legitimate   labor   organization,   including   a  

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  8  of  10  

national  union  or  federation  which  has  already   is   to   find   which   union   should   serve   as   the  
issued   a   charter   certificate   to   its   local/chapter   bargaining  agent.  The  difference  is  that  a  CE  is  
participating   in   the   certification   election   or   a   ordered   by   the   DOLE   while   a   consent  
local/chapter   which   has   been   issued   a   charter   electionis   voluntarily   agreed   upon   by   the  
certificate  by  the  national  union  or  federation.   parties,  with  or  without  the  intervention  of  the  
  DOLE.    
What is the test in determining a bargaining unit’s  
appropriateness or acceptability?   Unfair Labor Practice
  The   basic   test   of   a   bargaining   unit’s    
acceptability  is  whether  it  will  best  assure  to  all   Explain the concept of unfair labor practice. Give
employees   the   exercise   of   their   collective   3 examples of ULP by the employer and 3
bargaining   rights.   There   must   be   a   examples of ULP by the union.
“community  of  interest”  as  reflected  in  groups     Unfair   labor   practice   is   any   act   that  
having  substantial  similarity  of  work  and  duties   aims   to   weaken   or   defense   the   Constitutional  
or   similarity   of   compensation   and   working   right   to   self-­‐organization.   Unfair   labor  
conditions.     practices   violate   the   constitutional   right   of  
  workers   and   employees   to   self-­‐organization,  
Is the bargaining unit the same as the union?   are  inimical  to  the  legitimate  interests  of  both  
  No.   A   bargaining   unit   is   not   the   same   labor  and  management,  including  their  right  to  
as   the   union;   in   fact,   there   may   be   several   bargain   collectively   and   otherwise   deal   with  
unions  in  one  bargaining  unit.     each   other   in   an   atmosphere   of   freedom   and  
  Distinguishing  the  CBU  from  the  union   mutual   respect,   disrupt   industrial   peace   and  
is  important  because:   hinder   the   promotion   of   healthy   and   stable  
1) In   a   certification   election,   the   labor-­‐management  relations.  
voters   are   the   CBU,   whether     Unfair   labor   practices   are   not   merely  
union  or  nonunion  members.   violations   of   the   civil   rights   of   both   labor   and  
2) In   a   CBA   ratification,   the   voters   management   but   are   also   criminal   offenses  
are   the   unit,   not   just   the   union   against   the   State   which   shall   be   subject   to  
members;   prosecution  and  punishment.  [257,  LC]  
3) In  strike  voting,  the  voters  are  the     Under   Art.   258,   ULP   may   be  
members   of   the   union,   not   all   of   committed  by  the  employer  when  he:  
the  unit.   (1) interferes   with,   restrains   or  
  coerces   employees   in   the  
What are the three methods of determining the exercise   of   their   right   to   self-­‐
bargaining union?   organization;  
  The   three   methods   are:   (a)   voluntary   (2) requires   as   a   condition   of  
recognition;   (b)   certification   election   and   (c)   employment   that   a   person   or   an  
consent  election.   employee   not   join   a   labor  
  Voluntary   recognition   is   when   the   organization   or   withdraw   from  
employer  voluntarily  recognizes  the  bargaining   one   which   he   belongs   to   (yellow  
agent.  The  same  however  is  possible  only  in  an   dog  condition);  
unorganized  establishment  where  there  is  only   (3) to   contract   out   services   or  
one  union  asking  for  recognition  and  the  union   functions   being   performed   by  
voluntarily  recognized  is  the  majority  union  as   union   members   when   such   will  
indicated   by   the   fact   that   members   of   the   interfere   with,   restrain   or   coerce  
bargaining  unit  did  not  object  to  the  projected   employees   in   the   exercise   of  
recognition.     their  right  to  self-­‐organization;  
  Certification   election   is   the   (4) to   initiate,   dominate,   assist   or  
democratic   method   of   determining   the   otherwise   interfere   with   the  
employee’s   choice   of   their   bargaining   formation   or   administration   of  
representative  through  secret  ballot.     any   labor   organization,   including  
  Consent  election  is  basically  the  same   the   giving   of   financial   or   other  
as   a   certification   election   in   which   the   purpose  

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  9  of  10  

support   to   it   or   its   organizers   or   The  law  does  not  compel  agreements  between  
supporters.   employers  and  employees  and  neither  party  is  
  legally  obligated  to  yield  even  on  a  mandatory  
  On   the   other   hand,   ULP   may   be   bargaining   subject.   Where   the   subject   of   the  
committed  by  the  union  when  it:   dispute   is   a   mandatory   bargaining   subject,  
(1) restrains  or  coerces  employees  in   either   party   may   bargain   to   an   impasse   as   long  
the   exercises   of   their   right   to   self-­‐ as   he   bargains   in   good   faith.   The   duty   to  
organization.   However,   a   labor   bargain   does   not   obligate   a   party   to   make  
organization   shall   have   the   right   concessions   or   yield   a   position   fairly   held.   As  
to   prescribe   its   own   rules   with   long   as   the   same   is   effected   in   good   faith,  
respect   to   the   acquisition   or   management  cannot  be  considered  in  violation  
retention  of  membership;   of  the  duty  to  bargain.  Hence,  no  ULP.    
(2) causes   or   attempts   to   cause   an    
employer   to   discriminate   against   Grievance Machinery and Voluntary
an   employee,   including   Arbitration
discrimination   against   an    
employee   with   respect   to   whom   What is a grievance machinery?
membership   in   such   organization     A  grievance  machinery  is  a  mechanism  
has   been   denied   or   to   terminate   for   the   adjustment   and   resolution   of  
an  employee  on  any  ground  other   grievances   arising   from   the   interpretation   or  
than   the   usual   terms   and   implementation   of   their   Collective   Bargaining  
conditions   under   which   Agreement   and   those   arising   from   the  
membership   or   continuation   of   interpretation   or   enforcement   of   company  
membership   is   made   available   to   personnel   policies.   This   is   a   procedure  
other  members;   provided  in  the  CBA  which  must  be  adhered   to  
(3) violates   the   duty   or   refuses   to   by  the  parties.  Refusal  or  failure  to  do  so  is  an  
bargain   collectively   with   the   unfair   labor   practice,   because   the   grievance  
employer,   provided   it   is   the   procedure  is  part  of  the  continuous  process  of  
repsentative  of  the  employees;   collective  bargaining.  It  is  intended  to  promote  
(4) Causes   or   attempts   to   cause   an   friendly   dialogue   between   labor   and  
employer   to   pay   or   deliver   or   management   as   a   means   of   maintaining  
agree  to  pay  or  deliver  any  money   industrial  peace.    
or   other   things   of   value,   in   the    
nature  of  an  exaction,  for  services   What is the jurisdiction of voluntary arbitrators?  
which   are   not   performed   or   not     The   VA   shall   have   original   and  
to   be   performed,   including   the   exclusive   jurisdiction   to   hear   and   decide   all  
demand   for   fee   for   union   unresolved   grievances   arising   from   the  
negotiations.   interpretation   or   implementation   of   the   CBA  
  and   those   arising   from   the   interpretation   or  
enforcement  of  company  personnel  policies.  
The Union demanded an increase in the wages and   The   VA,   upon   agreement   of   the  
argued that the same is mandatory as wage is parties,   may   also   hear   and   decide   all   other  
one of the mandatory subjects under the CBA. labor   disputes   including   unfair   labor   practices  
The counsel of management however advised the and  bargaining  deadlocks.  [Art.  273-­‐274]  
latter not to accede to union’s demands for  
increase in wage. Does the same constitute unfair How may decisions of the VA be appealed and to
labor practice? Why or why not? which court?  
  No.   Although   the   Labor   Code   imposes     Appeal   from   the   decision   of   a  
upon   the   parties   the   duty   to   bargain   voluntary   arbitrator   falls   within   the   exclusive  
collectively   for   the   purpose   of   negotiating   an   appellate   jurisdiction   of   the   CA   through   a  
agreement   with   respect   to   wages,   and   that   Petition   for   Review   under   Rule   43   and   not  
indeed,  wages  is  a  mandatory  subject;  nothing   Special  Civil  Action  of  Certiorari  under  Rule  65.  
in   the   law   however   compels   parties   to   agree.    

 
S.  Bance|  XU  LAW     Labor  Relations|  Compilation  of  PE  Questions  
Page  10  of  10  

Strike and Lockouts

 
a) What is the basis for filing a notice of
strike?
b) When assumption of jurisdiction or
certification order by the Secretary of
Labor valid?
c) What is the effect of assumption and
certification orders issued by the DOLE
Secretary?
  The   basis   for   filing   a   notice   of   strike  
are:  
 
What are the procedural requirements for
legality of strike?