Union reps for trash haulers say they need roughly 22,000 signatures to put a stop to the city's plan to privatize.
If they get that amount, the city will have another decision to make.
Trash haulers spent the afternoon pushing their petition.
They need 21,828 signatures to be exact.
Here's what union reps are hoping for...
First, city hall could rescind its ordinance to privatize garbage pick-up altogether.
But council member Lee Brand says the city would still be on the hook for franchise fees.
Administrators would then have to look to other departments to make layoffs...
And city hall could be forced to declare a fiscal emergency.
Brand says it would mean long-term consequences.
"What park to we close down? What fire station to we close down? How long does it take to get a street light fixed? Curbs, gutters, takes an extra 6 months to get anything done."
The other choice is to hold a special election..
This would leave the privatization of trash service up to voters.
Marina Magdaleno, Local 39 Union Rep: "The voters need to know that we need to hold the city accountable for the decisions that they make."
Trash haulers and city hall agree on one thing... A special election would be costly to taxpayers.
"And the city's on the hook for that by the way. In the tune of $600k to $1million dollars would be the cost."
And if you tack on all the fees that go with operating trash service, Brand says it would end up costing the city up to $6 million over the next 18 months.
TXT 24
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