CHATTANOOGA (AP) — A United Auto Workers leader says a new local in Chattanooga has signed up the equivalent of what would have been a winning margin for the union vote at Volkswagen's plant in Tennessee.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press (http://bit.ly/1ro2g4E) quotes UAW Secretary Treasurer Gary Casteel as saying that the union had singed up "substantially more" than 670 workers at the plant, a number that would have given them the majority. The February vote lost 712 to 626.

The UAW has said it expects Volkswagen to recognize the union without another vote once it signs up enough workers, though Casteel has declined to say what that threshold would be.

Republican politicians like U.S. Sen. Bob Corker and Gov. Bill Haslam have been vocal opponents of the UAW gaining representation at the plant.