Workers at Freightliner's Gastonia, N.C., truck plant Wednesday voted on an offer to join the United Auto Workers.

According to published reports, preliminary results showed workers voting against the union by a narrow margin -- 356 votes against the union and 322 in favor. However, there were 42 votes not included that were challenged by either the union or the company. Because the vote is so close, the result of those challenged ballots could change the outcome.
It could be at least a week, and possible several weeks, before the final outcome is known.
UAW officials accused the company of heavy-handed tactics during the final days of the campaign, saying workers were required to attend meetings where they were told they would lose pay, benefits and jobs if they voted for the union. Freightliner officials have declined to comment on the charges.
Workers at the plant took a 5 percent pay cut in January under a restructuring plan. The plant makes truck parts for Freightliner's assembly plants in Mount Holley and Cleveland, N.C., and for regional parts distribution centers.