CASE DIGEST FACTS NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LABOR and

ZAMBOWOOD MONTHLY EMPLOYEES UNION v. CARLITO A.

EISMA

FACTS:
On 1982, the National Federation of Labor was certified by the Ministry
of Labor as the sole exclusive collective bargaining representative of the
monthly paid employees of the respondent Zamboanga Wood Products, Inc.
The employees charged the respondent firm for underpayment of
monthly living allowance. Petitioner union declared a strike against the
respondent, with allegation of illegal termination of the president of the local
union, Dionisio Estoca. They also alleged unfair labor practice, non-payment of
living allowances; and "employment of oppressive alien management personnel
without proper permit.
Respondent Zambowood filed a complaint before the respondent Judge
Carlito Eisma against the members and officers of the union for "damages for
obstruction of private property with prayer for preliminary injunction and/or
restraining order."
It was contended that the acts complained of were incidents of picketing
by defendants then on strike against private respondent, and that therefore the
exclusive jurisdiction belongs to the Labor Arbiter and not to a court of first
instance pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 227.
The petitioners assail the jurisdiction of the Court, pursuant to Article
217 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, and filed a motion for
dismissal of the complaint.