The jolt of Teamsters Local 492 in New Mexico continues as Teamsters Local 399 in Hollywood takes over its cinematic jurisdiction

Exclusive: The reorganization of Teamsters Local 492 in New Mexico continues with the resignations of two senior local officials: Trey White and Melissa Malcom-Chavez. White was the location manager and secretary-treasurer, and Malcolm-Chavez was the location’s business agent for the film industry.

Their resignation comes during last week’s announcement, first reported by Deadline, that after an investigation and review of Local 492’s financial records, the board of directors of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has ceded jurisdiction to Local 492. on film and television production in the state. at Teamsters Local 399 in Hollywood.

Sources told Deadline that prior to filming, Local 492’s film division had operated as a “dictatorship” in the state, which has become a major production hub thanks to its generous tax break program. Local 399 has long maintained its jurisdiction over film and television work in 13 western states through a “black book” agreement with the Motion Picture and Television Producers Alliance.

The resignations of White and Malcom-Chavez were announced Saturday at a meeting of 492 local members held at the Albuquerque Convention Center, which was attended by some 400 local members. White and Malcom-Chávez were later removed from the officer list on the Local 492 website.

The members meeting on Saturday was chaired by Lindsay Doherty, secretary-treasurer of Local 399, director of the Teamsters Film Division and vice president of the IBT Western Region. Dougherty reportedly received a standing ovation when she described the changes made to Local 492.

Joshua Stahel, Business Agent for Local 399, has been appointed Business Agent for the State of New Mexico, effective immediately. andres l Palmer, former president of Local 492, is now listed on the club’s website as secretary-treasurer, replacing White. Malcolm-Chavez is still listed as a member of the AFL-CIO executive committee of the New Mexico Federation of Labor, though things are likely to change now that he is no longer a Local 492 official.

Prior to Saturday’s meeting, Dougherty, who also sits on the board of IBT, outlined the future changes in a message to Local 492 members.

“This is what we currently know,” he wrote.

• Effective immediately, Teamsters Local 492 members working in the film industry will become members of Local 399. Again, these are just the 492 members working in the film industry. All other sections represented by the local 492 will remain the same.
• The current referendum to change the rules for the list of films is considered invalid.
• We consider all “selected” people who have been in the industry for many years and work through a membership path voted on by current and active members.
• New Mexico manufacturing operations will remain the same. This resolution does not want to eliminate work, but an opportunity to improve the work process in a more structured and fair way.
• The Local 399 Black Book Agreement will not be modified or affected in any way as a result of this change in representation.
• The New Mexico Teamsters will be involved in the development and voting of the governing rules and a fair seniority system.
• The seniority system will be separate and distinct from our list of Los Angeles industry experiences. New Mexico will have its own list which is not tied to the list of industry experiences that will follow Los Angeles.
• We are committed to working together to ensure this process is done quickly, efficiently and with the respect that every team member deserves. Includes 492 employees and representatives.
• We believe this change of representation is positive. Teamsters Local 399 is an artisan venue representing only Teamsters working in the film industry. We are well equipped to support every single member of this industry.
• We are committed to representing every member of Local 399 with the utmost dignity and respect.
• We are grateful for the opportunity to represent and serve you.

Dougherty went on to note that this is “something we’re working on right away this week”:

• Effective immediately, Joshua Stahel will be the commercial agent for the state of New Mexico.
• Simple and efficient transfer process to Local 399. During this week, while we work on setting up the transfer process, pending payments can still be made to 492. We will share an update later this week on any charges or fees.
• Expand our local Call Board 399 to support New Mexico expedition teams based on the seniority system developed.
• Expand our local Call Board 399 to support New Mexico expedition teams based on the seniority system developed.
• Develop a membership path for those who have worked in the industry for years as part of the “exhausted list”.
• Revised and simplified reference rules, revised by legal counsel to avoid future problems. These rules must be voted on by the members.
• Meet the teams from Solidaridad, Confianza and Nuevo México by visiting the productions, listening to comments and answering questions.
• Organize an in-person meeting in New Mexico open to 492 members of the film industry and people on the “sold out list”.
• Keep yourself as informed and educated as possible about the process. Feel free to ask questions and come to the meeting with the topics you would like to discuss.

“There are more questions than answers right now,” Dougherty wrote. “We plan to use this week to fully understand how Local 492 members have supported this industry as much as possible.”