The federation, of which Luis Napoleón Morones Negrete was a major leader, marked a departure from the traditionally-anarchist stance of Mexican labor to a nationalist position.
Radical elements of the labor movement, horrified by the cooption, formed their own federation, the Confederación General de Trabajadores (CGT), in 1921.
The CROM essentially monopolized union membership, claiming over one million workers and five hundred organized peasants among its members.
The CROM's leadership had become so corrupt that it had lost its influence with the rank and file and was thus unable to organize action in its favor.
Calles's successor, Emilio Portes Gil, began removing CROM officials from government positions.