Like all its predecessors, it affiliated to the Dutch Federation of Trade Unions (FNV).
The merger was intended to increase the co-ordination between union activity in different industries and spur innovative forms of organisation.
[1] On formation, the union had 499,285 members, and was the FNV's largest affiliate.
[2] It was organised in eight sectors: agriculture and the environment, services, trade, industry, ICT, metal, transport, and welfare and pensioners.
[3] Despite its size, the union struggled, and its financial position weakened.