Labor organizers are calling the victory by United Auto Workers to unionize the Thomas Built Bus plant a sign that organized labor is gaining strength in a state widely regarded as being hostile to unions.

Employees at Thomas Built Buses voted 59 percent to 41 percent for union representation, with more than 1,200 workers participating in Wednesday’s vote. By electing to form a UAW chapter , Thomas Built workers will become one of the few unionized plants in the Triad.