In the first union elections of 1978 the ING became the third most voted union in Galiza, with 722 elected delegates (13.5%). In September 1980 the ING merged with the Central de Traballadores Galegos, achieving then the most representative union status, exceeding the 15% required and gaining 1,679 delegates (17.5%). In 1981 the union was refounded and renamed as the INTG.