Lindsay Dougherty Re-Elected as Teamsters Local 399 President in Landslide Victory

Lindsay Dougherty Re-Elected as Teamsters Local 399 President in Landslide Victory

In a decisive show of support, Lindsay Dougherty has been re-elected as president of Teamsters Local 399, securing nearly 71 percent of the vote in the recent union elections. The results, announced on Friday, reflect a strong mandate for Dougherty and her political slate, which swept all contested positions.

With over 1,600 ballots cast, the election results were shared via the union’s Instagram account, highlighting the active engagement of its members. Teamsters Local 399, which represents a diverse group of professionals in the entertainment industry—including drivers, casting and locations experts, animal handlers, chef assistants, and mechanics—boasts approximately 5,700 members in the greater Los Angeles area.

Joining Dougherty in leadership roles are Joshua Staheli, who has transitioned from vice president to president following the retirement of Kenny Farnell, and Shaun Ryan, who was elected vice president. Amy Gorton will serve as the new recording secretary, rounding out a team committed to enhancing the union’s influence.

The newly elected trustees for the 2026-2028 term include locations manager Robert Paulsen, incumbent trustee Joe Mora, and current recording secretary Philip Quansah. All officials ran under the Hollywood Teamsters United slate, which emphasizes strengthening contracts and increasing visibility within the broader labor movement.

In a promotional video during her campaign, Dougherty articulated her vision for leadership: “Leadership is about understanding the issues, engaging with members face to face, negotiating strong contracts, owning the difficult times, celebrating the success of our members in the good times, and growing our relationships in the labor movement to build member power.”

The election was not without controversy, as both sides engaged in heated exchanges. The opposing slate, Our Union, Our Future, led by transportation coordinator Michael Sparks, accused Dougherty of negotiating a weak contract in 2024 and criticized the election process as biased. Dougherty countered these claims, denouncing the opposition’s “unhinged Facebook videos” that she claimed spread false allegations of corruption.

Sparks and his slate called for greater transparency and a membership-driven approach, emphasizing the need for equal representation across all classifications within the union.

As Teamsters Local 399 prepares to return to the bargaining table with studios and streaming services in 2027, the newly elected leadership is poised to advocate for its members with renewed vigor and commitment. The election results signal a clear direction for the union as it navigates the complexities of the entertainment industry and the evolving landscape of labor relations.