Milovanović was quoted as saying, "We joined Zajedno because there is a clear division in this country between those who support democracy, economic recovery, and a return to civilization, and, on the other side, local feudal overlords, men of power, war profiteers, and latifundists of the South American type.

"[3] Zajedno won the local elections in Belgrade and other major cities, but its victories were not initially accepted by the state authorities, leading to an extended series of protests throughout the country.

Milovanović led the ASNS into the protests in December 1996, an event considered significant in that it was the first time organized labour had taken part in a major anti-government action in Milošević's Serbia.

[6] The ASNS became part of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia, a broad and ideologically diverse coalition of parties opposed to Milošević's rule, in early 2000.

As in 1996, the Milošević regime did not initially accept the opposition's victory, and Milovanović and the ASNS were active in the protests that ultimately brought down the administration on 5 September 2000.

[14] The ASNS faced strong opposition in this period from the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (Savez Samostalnih Sindikata Srbije, SSSS), which had generally been aligned with Milošević.

Amid worsening financial conditions in September 2022, the federation submitted a comprehensive request to the Serbian government that included a minimum wage increase, a reduction in the excise tax on fuel, a temporary removal of the value added tax for basic life products, and a cap on price increases on food and related products.