February 24, 2015 04:43 PM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - It appears the right-to-work rally at the Wisconsin state Capitol is over.



Roughly two thousand protesters rallied on the Capitol steps around mid-day Tuesday but their numbers dissipated after the hour-long event. The Capitol's rotunda was all but empty by mid-afternoon.



The rally was organized to coincide with a Senate labor committee public hearing on a bill that would prohibit businesses from negotiating contracts with unions that require all employees to pay union dues.



Opponents say the bill will result in lower wages and allow some workers to receive the benefits of union membership for free.



The Senate was expected to debate the measure Wednesday.



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