National Labor Union v. The Court of Industrial Relations

Summary

The National Labor Union challenged the Court of Industrial Relations' decision refusing to find Manila Gas Corporation in contempt for hiring strike breakers and declining to order the return of striking workers. The Supreme Court affirmed, ruling that Manila Gas Corporation, as a public utility, was exempt from prohibitions against hiring strike breakers under Commonwealth Act No. 355. The Court found that strikers had committed acts of sabotage including damaging gas infrastructure and attacking loyal workers, violating implied employment contract conditions and constituting just cause for dismissal under Civil Code Article 1586. The decision established that while workers have strike rights, these cannot be exercised through illegal acts that damage employer property and endanger public safety, particularly for public utilities with obligations to consumers.