OUR UNION VISION
ACTION PLAN: RESTORING WORK TO LOCAL 399 TERRITORIES
Bringing work back home is the lifeline of this local. Without strong work levels, our pension, wages, healthcare, and bargaining power weaken. The future depends on leadership committed to fighting for jurisdiction and production in Los Angeles.
Fight for Aggressive Incentives
Direct engagement with state lawmakers to expand and strengthen California film and television tax incentives.
We will also move early to build relationships with all prospective California gubernatorial candidates, regardless of party, to ensure that the needs of Local 399 and our industry are understood and prioritized in future administrations.
Our Incentive Goals:
- Eliminate the current lottery system for tax credit allocation.
- Secure a $1 billion uncapped film incentive program to match and compete with Georgia, positioning California as the #1 film destination in the world.
- Increase the incentive percentage to 40% on all qualified expenditures, including above-the-line talent, post-production, and full production spend.
- End the waiting period for incentive approval — if a production applies and qualifies, they receive the incentive automatically.
Build a Jurisdiction Defense Division:
- Create a permanent internal task force to monitor, investigate, and immediately respond to violations of our jurisdiction.
- Address productions importing out-of-state crews, using production company vehicles, or cutting around union transportation.
- Escalate violations aggressively with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Studio and Industry Engagement:
- Establish direct dialogue with studio transportation heads, production coordinators, and producers.
- Negotiate stronger contractual language to secure Los Angeles-based Teamster employment on all stages of production.
- Defend jurisdiction by addressing any attempts to circumvent Local 399 members for work that should remain within our territory and classifications.
Hiring Hall Modernization
- Build a modern, real-time member roster system to make it easier for productions to hire qualified, certified 399 members.
- Expand skills training, certifications, and mentorship to ensure Local 399 remains the most qualified workforce in the industry.
Launch “Film California First”
- A full-scale public campaign to promote Los Angeles as the safest, most efficient, and most qualified location for film and television.
- Partner with state leaders, local officials, and other entertainment unions to present a united front.
- Put public pressure on the studios and streaming platforms to bring work home and invest in California crews.
OUR PROMISES:
RESTORING INTEGRITY IN LEADERSHIP
The members of Local 399 deserve leadership that is fully transparent, available and accountable, honest in communication, and focused on protecting the membership — not personal ambition, side businesses, or political careers.
No officer or representative will ever place studio relationships, production company preferences, or personal side businesses above the obligations to the rank-and-file membership.
This union will no longer be used as a political stepping stone.
PROTECTING THE PENSION & HEALTHCARE
The financial stability of our pension and healthcare are non-negotiable.
Full disclosure on pension health and investment decisions.
Strategic growth of union work to keep contributions strong.
Defend against any changes that would weaken pension or health benefits.
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
A strong union is built not just for today, but for the future.
Launch formal mentorship programs pairing veteran members with new hires.
Expand training opportunities through the Teamsters Training Fund.
Promote pathways to leadership roles for all classifications.
THE MEMBERSHIP IS THE UNION
This campaign is not about personalities — it is about returning this local to what it was always meant to be:
A union where the members are the final authority.
Every decision. Every policy. Every negotiation. Every contract.
Driven by the membership, for the membership.
CONCLUSION:
For too long, we’ve been told “that’s just the way it is.”
No more.
It’s time to bring 399 back.
It’s time to restore integrity.
It’s time to bring the work home.
It’s time for leadership that serves — not rules.
This is your union. Its future depends on your voice, your vote, and your involvement.
