The National Labor Relations Board could impound ballots cast Thursday and Friday after the union election at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant pending a review of an appeal by the automaker.

Jessica Kahanek, an NLRB spokeswoman, said Tuesday she couldn't say for sure that will be the case after the VW election in which 164 maintenance workers will vote on whether they want the United Auto Workers to represent them for collective bargaining purposes.

Workers assemble Volkswagen Passat sedans at the German automaker's plant in Chattanooga. Workers at Volkswagen's only U.S. factory will decide in February 2014 whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union.

But, she said that "ballots are often impounded pending board review in these types of situations. I can't say for sure that this case will be handled that way yet, but that is often how things proceed."

Earlier today, Volkswagen said it's appealing an NLRB regional director's decision that the plant's maintenance workers are an appropriate group for purposes of a union election.

However, the election is scheduled to go forward.

VW spokesman Scott Wilson said the decision to appeal is based on Volkswagen Chattanooga's "consistent position that the Chattanooga workforce is one integrated team and our one team concept is a critical component of our success."

See more in Wednesday's Times Free Press.