Fresno workers protest privatizing garbage collection

120 employees including 60 to 70 drivers could be laid off -- if the city approves the plan. Trash collection costs the city nothing to operate, but doesn't contribute money to the city's general fund.

A private company would pay the city to collect the trash and then charge residents. The city workers say that the plan means higher rates for residents.

"We're giving money, the City of Fresno is literally giving money away to the private company, the private industry. That's not the way it's supposed to be," Roosevelt De Leon said.

The city has said it's hopeful that if solid waste services are outsourced, the new company would keep most of the employees.