The gloves are off in the battle over trash collection in the City of Fresno.
Union supporters were out gathering signatures again on Thursday. Enough signatures and they could overturn the city's plan to transfer trash to a private company.
The union got the Attorney General involved after the city began running commercials promoting privatization, claiming misuse of public funds.
Union representative Marina Magdaleno said, "We want the attorney general to investigate."
Magdaleno sent Attorney General Kamalah Harris a letter requesting an investigation into the City of Fresno's "misuse of public funds for political campaign purposes."
The city responded saying: "Governmental entities may use public funds to make information available to the public. The total amount budgeted for production and media buys is $57,000."
Petitioners need 22,000 signatures by January 18th to hold a special election, which will let voters decide.
Mayor Swearengin says there will be consequences by the action because the City of Fresno would be faced with declaring a fiscal emergency and laying off employees.
If trash plan approved by the Fresno City Council moves forward, outsourcing would begin in March.
