# Teamsters Local 399

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/teamsters-local-399
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Nick Harty, Storiara

> Teamsters Local 399, known as the Hollywood Teamsters, is the local of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that represents motion picture drivers, transportation coordinators and captains, location managers and scouts, casting directors, animal trainers and wranglers, dispatchers, mechanics, and chef assistants. Its jurisdiction covers Hollywood productions and New Mexico.

## The agreements a producer deals with

Local 399 lists several separate contracts, each with its own rate sheets:

| Agreement | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Black Book | Drivers, animal trainers and wranglers, dispatchers, mechanics, and related crafts |
| Location Manager Agreement | Location managers, key assistants, assistants, scouts |
| Casting Directors Agreement | Casting directors and associates |
| AICP commercials agreements | Drivers and location scouts on commercials |
| Music Video Agreement | Music video production |

The Black Book rate schedules separate features, episodic series, distant locations, and low-budget theatrical work, so the right number depends on what you're making and where.

## What it means on the ground

The [transportation coordinator](https://storiara.com/roles/transportation-coordinator) hires the drivers, and on a union show those drivers move every truck and trailer at [base camp](https://storiara.com/glossary/base-camp): the camera truck, the grip and electric trucks, the [honeywagon](https://storiara.com/glossary/honeywagon), cast trailers, the water truck, and the passenger vans. A PA can't hop in the cube truck to move it across the lot, even for a minute, if that work belongs to a Teamster.

Location managers and casting directors are also covered, which surprises producers who think of them as office roles. In prep, the [location manager](https://storiara.com/roles/location-manager) on an LA show is working under the Local 399 agreement.

## Common mistakes

Budgeting drivers only for shoot days. Drivers pick up trucks from the rental house before the first day and return them after wrap, and those days are paid. On a 20-day shoot with a camera truck, a grip truck, an electric truck, and two vans, count at least one prep day and one wrap day per driver, then check the agreement's minimum call.

Forgetting that picture cars need a driver too. If a production vehicle is being driven off camera between setups or locations, the transportation department decides who can move it under the agreement.

Assuming the rules follow you. A Los Angeles producer shooting in Georgia deals with a different Teamsters local and a different contract. The [union overview](https://storiara.com/blog/navigating-film-unions-a-guide-to-the-dga-sag-aftra-and-iatse) covers how the other guilds divide up a set.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Black Book?

It's crew shorthand for Local 399's main motion picture agreement, which covers drivers, animal trainers and wranglers, dispatchers, mechanics, and similar crafts. The local lists separate agreements for casting directors and location managers.

### Are location managers Teamsters?

In Los Angeles, yes. Local 399 has a location manager agreement covering location managers, key assistant location managers, assistant location managers, and scouts. In other regions location professionals may be represented differently or not at all.

### Does Local 399 cover shoots in New York?

No. New York productions work with Teamsters Local 817 for drivers and some other crafts. Local 399's jurisdiction is Hollywood and New Mexico.

## Sources

- [Teamsters Local 399 Hollywood](https://www.ht399.org/)