WASHINGTON (AP) — The United Auto Workers on Friday challenged the Feb. 14 close vote by workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga that rejected the UAW’s bid to represent them.In an appeal filed with the National Labor Relations Board, the union asserted that "interference by politicians and outside special interest groups" swayed the election.In particular, the appeal took aim at Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican and former Chattanooga mayor, who suggested that a "no" vote would lead a Volkswagen expansion in the state.The UAW bid was defeated in a 712-626 vote, even though the German company generally is considered labor-friendly."It's an outrage that politically motivated third parties threatened the economic future of this facility and the opportunity for workers to create a successful operating model that would grow jobs in Tennessee," UAW president Bob King said.The union had faced a midnight Friday deadline for filing the action with the NLRB. The rejection by Volkswagen workers dealt a harsh setback to the union, especially since Volkswagen did not oppose the unionization drive."Sen. Corker's conduct was shameful and undertaken with utter disregard for the rights of the citizens of Tennessee and surrounding states that work at Volkswagen," the UAW's filing asserted. "The clear message of the campaign was that voting for the union would result in stagnation for the Chattanooga plant, with no new product, no job security, and withholding of state support for its expansion."Corker defended his high-profile opposition to the UAW's overture. "The workers at Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant spoke very clearly last week, so we are disappointed the UAW is ignoring their decision and has filed this objection," he said Friday in a statement.Tennessee Republican officials including Gov.