EXCLUSIVE: Michael Nyman, co-chairman and CEO of public relations firm PMK•BNC, is the new chair of the California Film Commission, which administers the state's $330 million annual film incentives program and is charged with stemming the flow of runaway production. Formerly the commission’s vice-chair, he takes over…

Following an election marred by violence, Teamsters Local 399 is taking special precautions for its next membership meeting "due to a threat of violence." The local's quarterly meeting will be held October 23 at Pickwick Gardens in Burbank, CA. "Unfortunately, due to a threat of violence, we will be limiting this…

EXCLUSIVE: Teamsters Local 399 secretary-treasurer Steve Dayan has won re-election by a landslide, defeating challenger Mitch Masoner by a vote of 1,407-341. Dayan's slate of running mates also trounced Masoner's, 1,275-246. It was a heated and on at least one occasion violent election, with one of Dayan's supporters a…

The ongoing election at Teamsters Local 399 has taken a violent turn, according to a report filed with the Burbank Police Department, which is investigating an alleged election-related assault September 12 outside Warner Bros Studios. Retired Teamster Ray Holmgren told detectives he was handing out fliers outside the…

EXCLUSIVE: Violence and the threat of violence have shaken Teamsters Local 399, which is in the midst of a bitterly contested election. A source tells Deadline that the home of the local's leader, secretary-treasurer Steve Dayan, was recently vandalized. Last night, his opponents called off a rally "due to threats of…

The National Labor Relations Board has dismissed allegations that Hollywod’s Teamsters local rigged last year’s contract ratification vote. Local 399 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Dayan had contented that the charges were "frivolous" and politically motivated. "I'm very pleased that the board recognized that Local 399's…

The National Labor Relations Board is investigating allegations that Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 rigged the ratification vote on its recent film and TV contract, which was overwhelmingly approved by the members in July. The local's leader, Steve Dayan, flatly denies the charges, calling them "frivolous" and without…

2ND UPDATE, 1: 40 PM: Teamsters Local 399 is signing up members for picket duty in preparation for a possible strike against producers of TV commercials, the latest step in a looming showdown that could drive many commercial productions out of Los Angeles and the state. Local 399 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Dayan — who…

Fistfights among Teamsters on film and TV productions in Hollywood are giving the union a black eye, says the head of the union's Hollywood local. Brawling among union drivers has gotten so bad, in fact, that Steve Dayan, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399, has warned his members that they'll be fired if they…