PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh-area members of the AFL-CIO rallied in support of the Employee Free Choice Act on Tuesday.

The union members rallied outside the United Steelworkers building and Sen. Arlen Specter’s offices in downtown Pittsburgh because the senator decided not to back the Employee Free Choice Act bill.

Supporters said the bill enables workers to organize by majority open vote, and it would alter the way unions and employers work out contracts.

The senator’s office issued a statement saying the Specter was never in full favor of the bill and did not support it because of its secret ballot and mandatory arbitration provisions. However, the office said Specter does think labor law reform is necessary.