More Bay Area cities are threatening legal action against Republic Services to get money back to rate payers who have been without trash service.

State leaders urge Republic Services to finalize contract with striking Teamsters as uncollected garbage piles up in Massachusetts communities and other states across the country.

Republic Services and the Teamsters have been at a standoff since July 1, when 450 local workers went on strike after the union's contract expired. Teamsters are seeking better wages, benefits and stronger labor protections.

Negotiations between Republic Services and Teamsters broke down late last week. Talks are set to resume Tuesday, but the impacts of the trash strike are growing more pronounced.

Solidarity strikes with Republic Services continued Monday on the sixth day of garbage strikes in the Bay Area, which is impacting residents of two dozen cities in Northern California.