Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AFM



Home » Orchestra News » Hartford Musicians Accept Pay Cut to Save Orchestra


Hartford Musicians Accept Pay Cut to Save Orchestra

  -  

The musicians of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) have voted to accept a wage concession agreement that management claims is necessary to save the orchestra. Management had threatened that, if the musicians had not voted to accept $450,000 in wage concessions by midnight, January 18, it would shut down the symphony.

“There are several causes for our orchestra’s problems, some recent and some that go back a long time,” says HSO oboist and ROPA delegate Steve Wade. “It took four hours of searching, in depth discussion to talk through the contract proposal and what it means at the musicians’ meeting. There was anger, passion, and extraordinary insight in what our players said. I’m in awe of my colleagues. The vote was by no means unanimous. It’s hard to call our new agreement a win, but at the very least a bright spotlight is now shining on issues in the management and the board that have been hidden for some time.”

As part of the concession HSO Music Director and Conductor Carolyn Kuan agreed to reduce her salary commensurate to the cut the musicians were asked to accept. In a statement, the musicians thanked the Hartford community for its support and vowed to “continue playing at the highest professional level and in a manner that the people of Greater Hartford have rightly come to expect from their flagship orchestra.”







NEWS