Opinion ID: 2092705
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Meaning of bona fide labor dispute.

Text: A labor dispute within the meaning of sec. 108.04 (10), Stats., is 'any controversy concerning . . . employment relations, or any other controversy arising out of the respective interests of employer and employee . . . .' [1] The term bona fide is not specifically defined in ch. 108, Stats., and therefore it must be interpreted in accordance with the common and approved usage thereof and in accordance with other accepted rules of statutory construction. [2] The term generally 'signifies a thing done really, with a good faith, without fraud or deceit, or collusion . . .' . . . Bona fide means real, actual, genuine . . . . [3] The term bona fide labor dispute, within the disqualifying sec. 108.04 (10), Stats., means a controversy regarding the terms of employment which in fact exists and is not merely pretextural or feigned on the part of the employer in an attempt to avoid his obligations under the law. One of the purposes of the Unemployment Compensation Act was to prevent an employer from financing a strike against himself. [4]