UPDATE 1-Union calls off Canadian Toyota plant vote bid

(Adds Toyota, union reaction, analyst's quote, background, byline)

By John McCrank

TORONTO, March 19 (Reuters) - A union seeking to organize a Toyota Motor Co (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) plant in Canada withdrew its bid for certification on Wednesday saying it did not have enough signatures.

"Based on a bargaining unit employee list with over 900 new additional names submitted by Toyota late yesterday...it was clear we didn't have enough signed membership cards," said Ian Morland, an organizer for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Canadian law requires a union to have the signatures of at least 40 percent of the total work force to hold a vote on unionizing.

The union said it was "well over" that threshold when it filed for a vote for 3,100 of the plant's employees with Ontario's Ministry of Labor last week. But on Friday, Toyota Canada filed a modified list of employees, putting the number of workers at 4,025.

The IAW said it would continue its efforts to try to organize the plant.

"The workers here approached us for union representation and we intend to honor that request," said Morland.

Global Insight automotive analyst Aaron Bragman said, "It would not be in Toyota's interests for the plant to unionize."