Little Rock, AR - The battle brewing in Washington over legislation to make it easier for labor unions to form is heating up here in Arkansas, too.   The so-called "card-check" measure would allow unions to organize with a simple majority of workers' signatures on a card or petition.  The Arkansas chapter of AFL-CIO held a rally supporting the measure Monday night in front of the state capitol.  Opponents say this takes away a company's right to hold a secret vote on whether unionize. Supporters argue it's all about employee choice.

A handful of the state's 60,000 union members gathered in front of the state capitol Tuesday night to show support for the proposed Employee Free Choice Act. It would allow workers to form unions by collecting a simple majority of signatures.  Right now the AFL-CIO says, leaving less in the hands of management.

(Alan Hughes, Arkansas AFL-CIO) "What corporations are scared of is they lose control of what the employees does, because right now it's decided by the employer: whey they're going to hold the election, where. This would give the employee a say so."

Tony Gossett says he and co-workers lost their jobs when they tried to unionize, and thinks a stronger law is needed.

(Tony Gossett, Union Member) "We need a louder voice. Without a union, without the laws, they can do to anybody what they did to me."

However, opponents argue the law would be bad for Arkansas.  Don Weaver is a highway contractor.

(Don Weaver, Arkansas Contractor) "In the construction business, we compete against everybody, manufacturing, everybody for employees. Everybody's earning a fair wage in Arkansas."

Weaver says he worries about the strong oversight union bosses could have, and about the possible lack of a secret ballot.

(Weaver) "They can do anything they want to get someone to sign a card. There's no penalties whatsoever against the labor unions in this new bill. I just think that's Un-American and unfair."

Senator Mark Pryor says he would like to see some compromise on the issue, while Senator Blanche Lincoln says she'll make a decision before it comes to a vote.

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