LABOR LAW Case Doctrines

Palacol vs. Ferrer-Calleja

182 SCRA 710
Labor Standards; Labor Relations; Collective Bargaining; Special Assessments.
Strict compliance with legal requirements regarding special assessments must be observed.
The respondent-Union brushed aside the defects pointed out by petitioners in the manner
of compliance with the legal requirements as insignificant technicalities. On the contrary,
the failure of the Union to comply strictly with the requirements set out by the law
invalidates the questioned special assessment. Substantial compliance is not enough in view
of the fact that the special assessment will diminish the compensation of the union
members. Their express consent is required, and this consent must be obtained in
accordance with the steps outlined by law, which must be followed to the letter. No
shortcuts are allowed.
Written resolution of a majority of all members of the union at a general membership
meeting, required for validity of levy of a special assessment.
Withdrawal of individual authorization is equivalent to no authorization at all; The law does
not require that the disauthorization must be in individual form.
Payment of services rendered by union officers, not to be taken from special assessments
but from regular union dues.
Philippines Airlines, Inc. v Santos, Jr.
218 SCRA 415
Labor Law; Appeals; Evidently basic and firmly settled is the rule that judicial review by
this Court in labor cases does not go so far as to evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence
upon which the labor officer or office based his or its determination, but is limited to issues
of jurisdiction and grave abuse of discretion. It has not been shown that respondent NLRC
has unlawfully neglected the performance of an act which the law specifically enjoins it to
perform as a duty or has otherwise unlawfully excluded petitioner from the exercise of a
right to which it is entitled.
Constitutional Law; It is a fact that the sympathy of the Court is on the side of the
laboring classes, not only because the Constitution imposes such sympathy, but because of
the one-sided relation between labor and capital. The constitutional mandate for the
protection of labor is as explicit as it is demanding. The purpose is to place the workingman
on an equal plane with managementwith all its power and influencein negotiating for the
advancement of his interests and the defense of his rights. Under the policy of social justice,
the law bends over backward to accommodate the interests of the working class on the
humane justification that those with less privileges in life should have more privileges in law.