NEW YORK (CNN) - Employees at a Colorado Wal-Mart tire and auto maintenance shop have been granted approval to hold a union election that could create the first ever organized labor group at the country's biggest retailer.

Workers at the Loveland, Colo., Wal-Mart Tire & Lube Express are expected to vote in February on representation by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) spokesman said that the automotive service workers were found to have a "distinct and sufficient interest" in collective bargaining that distinguishes them from other store employees.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Christi Gallagher says the company will ask National Labor Relations Board members to review the Denver regional director's decision.

"We are all one team in the store. We disagree with excluding over 360 other associates from such an important decision," Gallagher said.

Wal Mart (Research) employs 1.2 million Americans, and has been on a public relations campaign recently to improve its image, including its treatment of its workers.