CASE DIGEST: DOLE PHILIPPINES, INC., vs. PAWIS NG MAKABAYANG OBRERO (PAMAO-NFL). G.R. No. 146650. January 13, 2003

ON CBA'S

FACTS:

Respondent filed a complaint against petitioner before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board for non-compliance with the provisions of their 1996-2001 CBA because it granted free meals only to those who are rendered overtime work for more than three hours and not to those who rendered exactly three hours overtime work. Petitioners and Respondent has different interpretation in the provision of the CBA.

ISSUE:

Whether the provision in the current CBA must prevail.

RULING:

Yes, the disputed provision of the CBA is clear and unambiguous. The terms are explicit and the language of the CBA is not susceptible to any other interpretation. Hence, the literal meaning of "free meal after three hours of overtime work" shall prevail, which is simply that an employee shall be entitled to a free meal if he has rendered exactly, or no less than three hours of overtime work, not "after more than" or "in excess of three hours overtime work".