Question 1

What crafts do the Hollywood Teamsters represent working under contracts with the AMPTP?

Accepted Answer

Hollywood Teamsters represent drivers, dispatchers, animal trainers / wranglers, DOT admins, mechanics, auto service, chef assistants, locations professionals and casting professionals.

Question 2

What is the bargaining timeline for Hollywood Teamsters?

Accepted Answer

Hollywood Teamsters begin negotiations with the AMPTP on Monday, June 10th for the Teamsters Local 399 ‘Black Book’ and Location Manager Agreement. Dates are currently scheduled throughout June and into mid-July. Both agreements expire on July 31st.

The Local 399 and 817 Casting Directors Agreement with the AMPTP will be negotiated starting late August and the expiration for that agreement is September 30th.

Question 3

Who makes up the Hollywood Basic Crafts and how do they work together in negotiations?

Accepted Answer

The Hollywood Basic Crafts are composed of (5) different Unions:

Teamsters Local 399 Black Book Agreement covering drivers, dispatchers, DOT admins, animal trainers, wranglers, mechanics, chef assistants, and more.
Teamsters Local 399 Location Manager Agreement covering Location Managers, Key Assistant Location Managers and Assistant Location Managers 
LiUNA! Local 724 Basic Agreement covering Laborers 
IBEW Local 40 Basic Agreement covering Electricians 
OPCMIA Local 755 Basic Agreement covering Plasterers 
UA Local 78 Plumbers 
 
Combined, these agreements represent about 7,600 crew-members across the outlined classifications. All of these agreements would expire on July 31st.

The Hollywood Basic Crafts will share general proposals around wages and working conditions, however each Union will have their own classification specific issues to address in negotiations. Each Union’s respective membership will vote separately on any tentative agreement reached.

Question 4

What are the bargaining priorities for this year’s negotiations cycle?

Accepted Answer

Hollywood Teamsters are prepared to address issues surrounding increased compensation, Industry parity, in both wages and working conditions, and fighting for protections that respect and support the work of the Transportation, Locations and Catering Departments.
The work of these departments is integral for the foundation of any production, yet oftentimes the work is unseen due to the nature of our members being the first ones in and last ones out for the day. 
Our proposals are reflective of the information received from our contract surveys, our member-led steering committees and gains that have been made across the Country by one-off project deals that have increased compensation and strengthened working conditions for Motion Picture Teamsters. 
Local 399 Steering Committee members will be part of discussion both in-person at the AMPTP as well as on Zoom. Ultimately, it is for the employers to bargain for the recommendation of our member-led committees.

Question 5

How many Teamsters work under these agreements?

Accepted Answer

About 4,000 members are covered by our Black Book Agreement. Another almost 800 are covered under the Local 399 Location Manager Agreement.

Question 6

How can Local 399 members stay involved and engaged in this year’s bargaining cycle?

Accepted Answer

Members should make sure you are subscribed to Local 399 emails as we will be sharing frequent updates to members as well as hosting Zoom updates as needed to keep members engaged and informed throughout the negotiations process. We will also be sharing ways for members to help elevate our fight both in and out of the workplace. Sign-up to our Member Action Team if you would like to receive action alerts.

Question 7

Should a tentative agreement be reached, who is eligible to participate in the ratification process?

Accepted Answer

Members on a good-standing status that are eligible to work under the respective agreements are able to vote on any tentative agreement that is reached. Members on a suspended, withdrawal or paying off initiation or re-initiation status will first have to update their account with the Union Hall before they would be eligible to receive a ballot. 
Teamsters Local 399 plans to again utilize electronic voting for any ratification process once a tentative agreement is reached.

Question 8

Are the Teamsters planning to go on strike?

Accepted Answer

The Teamsters Union is one of the most democratic when it comes to members voting on their contracts. It is a simple majority vote to determine if the Local 399 membership votes to accept or reject any tentative agreement. That being said, it is our members and only our members who vote whether a deal is adequate enough and addresses the priorities as set forth by our members. Ultimately, the AMPTP is bargaining for the recommendation of our member-led steering committee who will be engaged throughout the entirety of the discussions with the Employers. 
We believe our proposals highlight reasonable and realistic gains that can be achieved to protect, respect and compensate the work of our members properly.

Frequently Asked Questions