Volkschel Labor Union v Bureau of Labor Relations; G.R. No.

L-45824; 19 Jan
1985; 137 SCRA 42

FACTS:
Petitioner and the Associated Labor union of Metal Workers
(ALUMETAL) jointly entered into a collective bargaining agreement with respondent
companies where it was agreed that the respondent company will make
payroll deductions twice a month for membership dues and other fees/fines. After some
time, a majority of petitioner’s members decided to disaffiliate from
respondent federation in order to operate on its own as an independent labor group.

ISSUE(S):
Whether or not petitioner union’s disaffiliation from respondent federation valid.

RULING:
YES. A local union, being a separate and voluntary association, is free to serve the
interest of all its members including the freedom to disaffiliate when circumstances
warrant.

Petition is GRANTED. Assailed resolutions are REVERSED and SET ASIDE.