Union Obrera Democratica

The Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina (Spanish for 'Democratic Workers Union of the Philippines') was a trade union centre in the Philippines. The organization was the first modern trade union federation in the country, earlier labour groups had been more of mutual aid societies and guilds. The organization had thirty-three affiliated trade unions as of 1902. In 1903 the organization counted with 150 affiliated unions, and around 20,000 members in the Manila area. At its peak, the Union Obrera Democratica had around 150,000 members in eight provinces of Luzon.

The organization was established on February 2, 1902, at a congress of "approximately 140 printers and lithographers" gathered at Variedades Theater in Sampaloc, Manila.Isabelo de los Reyes, or Don Belong, was elected president of the organization, whilst Hermenegildo Cruz was elected secretary. Except for Cruz, all the elected founding officers were "rich manufacturers and employers in Manila." The founding congress adopted the principles of two books, Vida e Obras de Carlos Marx by Friedrich Engels and Los Campesinos by Errico Malatesta, as the political foundation of the movement.

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."

UOD organized a mass rally on July 4 (the Independence Day of the United States), 1902, with around 50,000 participants. The rally demanded independence for the Philippines.

The organization called for a national general strike on August 2, 1902, in protest of the refusal of the government to comply with the demands for increased wages for the workers. The first strike action occurred on August 9, 1902, as workers at the Malabon Commercial Tobacco Factory staged a went on strike. The Union Obrera Democratica organized various walk-outs in factories in Manila and adjescent cities in support of the strike. The state authorities responded by arresting Don Belong and three other union leaders. Don Belong was sentenced to four months in jail. As a result of the strike, wages were increased in some factories. Working hours were, however, unaffected.

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