The Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal has mandated an investigation into the largest trade union in the Netherlands, FNV, due to its inability to resolve internal conflicts. The court’s decision, announced Friday, also involves the appointment of two new supervisory board members as a temporary measure.

These newly appointed supervisors are tasked with organizing new board elections and proposing improvements to the organization’s structure and processes. This ruling follows a lawsuit initiated by the FNV’s own staff, supported by the works council and sector boards, who sought intervention from the Enterprise Chamber to address the ongoing crisis.

The internal strife, which began earlier this year leading up to board elections, has resulted in a significant breakdown of trust within the FNV. The Enterprise Chamber agreed with the staff’s assessment that the various bodies within the union were unable to resolve their differences through mutual consultation. The level of distrust has escalated to the point where board elections have been postponed on two separate occasions.

An interim board, initially appointed to restore order, was dismissed after just two months and replaced with new interim managers. Additionally, two members of the supervisory board have resigned. The Enterprise Chamber believes that the internal conflicts have left the FNV without “a board with sufficient support,” and that there is a lack of confidence in the electoral process.

As a result, the court will appoint two supervisors, whose identities are not yet known, to oversee the organization of fair elections. The Enterprise Chamber also deemed an investigation necessary to fully understand the underlying issues plaguing the FNV. While the court’s intervention may seem surprising, the severity of the situation apparently left them with no other option.