Workers assemble Passat sedans at the VW plant in CHattanooga.

A group of Volkswagen workers trying to keep the United Auto Workers from organizing the Chattanooga plant have raised their anti-union petition count to more than 600 signatures.

Mike Burton, a leader in the group, said today they plan to turn in the added names to VW plant managers on Monday.

"We're tickled with the enthusiasm, but I wish we had more," said Burton, whose group plans to keep trying to add names to the petitions.

The 602 signature figure is up from 563 about a week ago, according to Burton.

He said if the group gathers about 20 added names a day, it can get close to half of the hourly production and skilled maintenance workers at the plant.

The UAW reported last month that it has a majority of the hourly workforce at the factory on cards authorizing the union to represent them.

The union currently is in talks with VW about the potential set up of a works council labor board at the plant.

Gary Casteel, a UAW regional director based in Lebanon, Tenn., said he doesn't think the petitions will have any bearing on the discussions with VW.

See full story in Saturday's Times Free Press.