Sentencia de Tribunal Apelativo de 21 de Marzo de 2013, número de resolución KLAN201202035
| Emisor | Tribunal Apelativo |
| Número de resolución | KLAN201202035 |
| Tipo de recurso | Apelación |
| Fecha de Resolución | 21 de Marzo de 2013 |
| | KLAN201202035 | Apelación procedente del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón Caso Número: D PE2011-0796 (703) Sobre: Despido Injustificado, Procedimiento Sumario |
Panel integrado por su presidenta, la Jueza García García, la Jueza Varona Méndez y el Juez Flores García.
Flores García, Juez Ponente
SENTENCIA
En San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 21 de marzo de 2013.
Mediante el recurso de apelación comparece ante este Tribunal, Omar Martínez Meléndez, en adelante el apelante
o la parte apelante, solicitando que revoquemos o modifiquemos una Sentencia del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón, declarando ha lugar una moción de sentencia sumaria presentada por Bohío International Corporation, en adelante el co-apelado Bohío o la parte apelada Bohío, desestimando en su totalidad y con perjuicio una querella por un alegado despido injustificado.
Por los fundamentos que se exponen a continuación, confirmamos la sentencia apelada. Veamos.
El 23 de agosto de 2011 el apelante, quien se desempeñaba como vendedor de la co-apelada M. Cuebas, presentó una querella por alegado despido injustificado al amparo de la Ley Núm. 80 del 30 de mayo de 1976, en adelante, Ley Núm. 80. La querella fue presentada en contra de la co-apelada Bohío; M. Cuebas, Inc., en adelante la co-apelada M. Cuebas; B. Fernández & Hermanos, Inc.; B. Fernández Holding Company Inc. y Marvel International Inc.
En su querella, el apelante alegó que trabajó para la co-apelada M. Cuebas desde el mes de marzo de 1996 hasta el 15 de mayo de 2011, cuando fue despedido.
Adujo que la co-apelada M. Cuebas traspasó el negocio a B. Fernández & Hermanos Inc. En su querella enmendada, el apelante, alegó que el despido injustificado surgió como resultado de un un traspaso de un negocio en marcha entre la co-apelada M. Cuebas y el resto de las co-querelladas. La parte apelante reclamó una mesada ascendente a $34,882.26.
Luego de varios incidentes procesales, la parte apelante desistió de su reclamación en contra de B. Fernández & Hermanos, Inc., B. Fernández Holding Company Inc. y Marvel International Inc., permaneciendo en el caso las co-apeladas M.
Cuebas y Bohío.
La co-apelada M. Cuebas es una empresa que por espacio de aproximadamente cincuenta (50) años se dedicó a la producción y distribución de especies, flanes, sofrito, habichuelas, comida para aves, entre otros productos, bajo la marca Don Goyo, Don Toño, Flan del Cielo, Caramelo del Cielo, Tweet y Rikas.
Por su parte, la co-apelada Bohío es una corporación con fines de lucro incorporada el 9 de agosto de 2009 que se dedica a la manufactura de comestibles, incluyendo adobos, sofritos, especias, habichuelas, entre otros productos.
Según surge de los autos, el hipermercado Walmart, cliente principal del co-apelado M. Cuebas, estableció unos nuevos requerimientos de control de calidad sobre los productos vendidos por M. Cuebas que requerían una inversión millonaria. En el mismo periodo del año 2010, el co-apelado M. Cuebas advino en conocimiento que la empresa co-apelada Bohío, comenzó la elaboración de sofrito.
Como resultado de lo anterior, la co-apelada M. Cuebas determinó cerrar sus operaciones y comenzó negociaciones con la co-apelada Bohío dirigidas a venderle ciertos activos y a capitalizar el cierre de las operaciones.
El 28 de marzo de 2011, M. Cuebas y Bohío suscribieron una carta de intención en la que establecieron los términos y condiciones sobre el futuro acuerdo de compraventa de propiedades y activos.
La carta establece en su introducción, This letter will outline the basic terms and conditions of our proposal under Bohío International Corporation, or any of its affiliates, (the Buyer) would purchase from M. Cuebas, Inc. and/or its shareholder(s) (the Seller) the property and assets more fully described below (the Property). This sale is being negotiated upon Sellers unequivocal decision to close its operations. [Énfasis Nuestro]
En la carta de intención, las partes acuerdan la compraventa de ciertas marcas, con las fórmulas y la maquinaria necesaria para su producción.
El 18 de agosto de 2011, ambas partes suscribieron un Asset Purchase Agreement, mediante el cual acordaron la compraventa de los derechos de marcas y recetas de M. Cuebas, así como cierta maquinaria especificada en el Acuerdo para confeccionar algunas de las recetas vendidas.
El referido acuerdo describe los activos objeto de compraventa como sigue,
(a) Bohío will acquire the exclusive paid up, perpetual right to use the trademarks, patents, service marks and tradenames for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico described in Schedule 1.1(a) hereto (Trademarks), as well as the exclusive distribution rights worldwide of: (i) all products, sold by Seller in the present or in the past or for which it has plans in the future to sell using the tradenames Don Goyo, Don Toño, Flan del Cielo, Caramelo del Cielo, Tweet and Rikas;
(b) Prepaid assets directly related to the Purchased Assets which have been approved by Bohío. The prepaid assets to be acquired by Bohío are particularly identified in Schedule 1.1(b) to this Agreement. (c) All machinery and equipment to be acquired by Bohío is included in Schedule 1.1 (c) is free of all liens and encumbrances. (d) Other assets, if any, which are directly related to the Purchased Assets, and which have been approved by Bohío for purchase. The other assets are particularly identified in Schedule 1.1(g) to this Agreement. (e) All formulas, processes and procedures for production, quality control, packing and handling of the manufactured Products to be acquired pursuant to this Agreement and of the Products represented by the Seller, to the extent they exist and are applicable to these Products. The formulas, processes, and procedures for production, quality control, packing and handling of the manufactured Products acquired by Bohío are particularly identified in documents kept at the vault of the Seller and which have been delivered at Closing to Buyer, identified in Schedule 1.1 (h) of this Agreement.
En relación a las responsabilidades y cargas, las partes acordaron en el Acuerdo,
1.2 Assumption of Liabilities.
Bohío is not assuming any liabilities whatsoever of Seller, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due at the Closing Date or to become due thereafter and whether or not asserted at the Closing Date. It is understood and agreed that it is the explicit and express intention by and between Seller and Bohío that Bohío is not acquiring shares of stock of Seller nor Sellers employees and is not to be a successor corporation and or successor employer of Seller. Seller acknowledges and accepts that both shall be required to indemnify and hold harmless Bohío, its shareholders, officers, employees, directors and agents its predecessors, successors and affiliates, any and all of their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents, representatives, affiliated or related entities, their predecessors, successors and assigns (including but not limited to B. Fernández & Hnos., Inc.) for any cause of action, expenses, losses or liabilities relating to or arising from any claim by third parties including, but not limited to employee and environmental claims, if Bohío for any reason whatsoever is deemed to be such a successor. More specifically, in exchange for the promises made in this Agreement, Seller agrees, without any limitation, to release Bohío, its shareholders, officers, employees, directors and agents its predecessors, successors and affiliates, any and all of their respective current and former officers, directors, employees, attorney, agents representatives, affiliated or related entities, their predecessors, successors and assigns, from any and all claims, demands, obligations, losses, causes of action, liabilities of any nature whatsoever that may exist in favor of any and all of its employees arising out of or in any way connected with their employment with Seller or termination of such employment or otherwise. This release includes liabilities of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected-including, but not limited to claims arising, or that may arise under:
(a)
(b)
(c) all actual or potential claims arising out of any legal restrictions on an employers right to terminate its employees, including claims for implied or express contracts, wrongful or other discharge, personal injury, tort claims, or any other claims whatsoever regardless of legal theory. [Énfasis Nuestro].
El Acuerdo establece específicamente sobre los empleados de M. Cuebas,
6.6 Employees of Seller. Seller acknowledges and agrees that Bohío is not, and shall not at any time, be under any obligation whatsoever, to employ any person currently or in the past employed by Seller, and that Bohío shall not become a successor employer of any of Sellers current or past employees. Seller shall be responsible for the payment of all amounts owed to any person currently or in the past employed by Seller, including but not limited to any unpaid and/or accumulated salaries, severance payment and/or mesada under Puerto Rico Law No. 80 of May 30, 1976.
As amended, commissions, sick leave, vacations, severance and/or bonuses to which any such persons are or may be entitled, either by law or contract. Seller shall indemnify and hold Bohío, its parent company and affiliates, harmless from and against any actions, at law or at equity, judicial o extrajudicial, arising out of Sellers employment relationship with any person...
Para continuar leyendo
Solicita tu prueba