G.R. No. 146650. January 13, 2003
FACTS:
In 1996, five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement for 1996 – 2001 was executed by petitioner Dole Philippines, Inc., and private respondent Pawis Ng Makabayang Obrero-NFL (PAMAO-NFL). One of the provisions of CBA provides that “Company agrees to grant a MEAL ALLOWANCE of TEN PESOS (P10.00) to all employees who render at least TWO (2) hours or more of actual overtime work on a workday, and FREE MEALS, as presently practiced, not exceeding TWENTY FIVE PESOS (P25.00) after THREE (3) hours of actual overtime work.”
Some departments of DOLE continued continued the practice of granting free meals only after more than three hours of overtime work.
PAMAO-NFL filed a complaint before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board alleging that petitioner Dole refused to comply with the provisions of the 1996-2001 CBA because it granted free meals only to those who rendered overtime work for more than three hours and not to those who rendered exactly three hours overtime work.