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.
Together with a robust delegation from the AFM, I attended the Fifth International Orchestra Conference (IOC) of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), October 23-26, in Malmö, Sweden. In addition to myself, the delegation included Vice President from Canada Allistair Elliott, AFM Director of Symphonic Services and Special Counsel Rochelle Skolnick, International Conference of Symphony […]
Read MoreThe one thing I appreciate about the outcome of the US elections this year is that the results are unambiguous. This provides a heightened clarity of purpose for the next two years, if not the next four, for anyone who makes a living in the arts or who works in the labor movement. Funding for […]
Read MoreAs we come to the end of another calendar year, I look back on the whirlwind of the last seven months since I took office. Negotiations continue on several fronts, both in New York City with Live TV negotiations, and in Toronto with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), TV Ontario (TVO) (now complete), and […]
Read MoreThe indisputable rise of right-wing leaders in the US government culminated in an unequivocal victory for the Republican Party on November 5. Unfortunately, there is every reason to believe that a similar movement will bring the right-wing Conservative Party of Canada to power within a year. What are the challenges trade unions face in the […]
Read MoreOn the day after the US elections, AFM President Tino Gagliardi sent a message to our membership stating that we remain focused on our goals. This extends to our federal policy objectives. Given the outcome of the election, it would be fair to assume that there will be many instances in the calendar year in […]
Read MoreA Look at 2024 Achievements & Challenges During 2024 we saw both remarkable achievements and pressing challenges for our union. We celebrated the resilience and creativity of AFM members when they work together in both groundbreaking performances and impactful advocacy. One quickly developing and significant threat we face is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence […]
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