Similar unions were soon formed at other printing places in Manila, and on either December 30, 1901 or in January 1902, a conference was held that united them in a single organization.

Shortly after, ULIF was later renamed again to Unión Democrática de Litógrafos, Impresores, Encuadernadores y Otros Obreros ("Democratic Union of Lithographers, Printers, Bookbinders and Other Workers") after Cruz and some of its members approached Isabelo de los Reyes to seek advice in forming a workers' movement and cooperative store based on memberships' savings or contributions.

[3] According to historian Melinda Tria Kerkvliet, the main goals of the organization were: "to improve working conditions through protective labor legislation; locate work for the unemployed and assist their families; provide free education for workers' children; assist sick members and those in distress; and emancipate workers through saving and related projects.

[9] The organization called for a national general strike campaign on August 2, 1902, a day before the proclamation of the Philippine Independent Church, in protest of the refusal of the government to comply with the demands for increased wages for the workers.

De los Reyes tendered his resignation while in prison in September 1902 and Cruz immediately assembled a meeting to elect a new president for the organization.

Spanish Filipino physician and writer Dr. Dominador Gomez was elected as the new president of Union Obrera Democratica in September 1902.

[4] In April 1903, a meeting was held at the Malacañan Palace between the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina leaders (including Gomez) and governor-general William H. Taft, in which the trade unionists demanded that May 1 be celebrated as Labor Day.

Like De los Reyes, he was acquitted on the condition that he leave UODF and help in the negotiations for the surrender of Macario Sakay to the Insular Government.