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

Alan Willaert

AFM Vice President from Canada


Low Friends in High Places—How Union Solidarity and Lobbying Helped Get Political Support for Canadian Musicians

When the pandemic effectively demolished live music in mid-March of last year, the AFM Canadian Office immediately dispatched letters to whomever in government was in a position to be of assistance, as identified with the aid of our knowledgeable lobbyist, Isabel Metcalfe. While I’m sure our plea to recognize the severity of the situation did […]

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Organizing to Reset: Utilizing Lessons from the Past

en français “Schools closed, church services cancelled, restaurants, shops, theatres, and venues shuttered, public gatherings limited and then banned, and a $5 ‘civic duty’ fine levied against those refusing to wear a mask,” was how it was reported. Sound familiar? Interestingly, those events took place between 1918 and 1920, when the so-called “Spanish Flu” claimed […]

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Bill C-10: Amending Canada’s Broadcast Act

(en français) Broadcasting, and the sectors it supports, account for a huge economic impact on Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2019, broadcasting alone accounted for $9.1 billion of GDP, revenues of $16.9 billion, and represented 41,901 jobs. Film and video were $4.3 billion of GPD, revenues of $13.9 billion, and 71,027 jobs. Music and […]

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Murder, They Wrote

français I have previously articulated that today’s society is blissfully oblivious of how a five-day week, an eight-hour working day, holidays, maternity leave, healthcare, and the simple right to organize (along with many other benefits) transpired. The perceived value of these has become minimized, and the desire to maintain the required solidarity has been lost, […]

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Private Copying – An Important Source of Revenue for Musicians

Revisions to Canada’s Copyright Act are imminent, and indications are that many of the recommendations submitted by the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM), perhaps most, have a very good chance of making it into legislation. Contained within our submission was expansion of the private copying regime, administered by the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC), in […]

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Who IS the Union?

en français When the pandemic is contained and conditions are favourable for live music to restart, we must all be prepared for an unprecedented, extremely difficult recovery. Every facet of the business/life we love will be tested—severely so—and the one thing that will ensure survival is also the most difficult thing to achieve: Solidarity. It […]

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Pourquoi pas un revenu minimum garanti?

in English par Alan Willaert, vice-président de la FAM pour le Canada Nous sommes en avril 2018 et Frédéric (nom fictif), de Hamilton, s’est qualifié pour le projet pilote de l’Ontario portant sur le revenu de base. Handicapé, il ne pouvait compter jusque-là que sur le Programme ontarien de soutien aux personneshandicapées pour payer son […]

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How About a Basic Income Guarantee?

en français It’s April of 2018, and “Fred” (not his real name) from Hamilton, Ontario, has qualified for the Ontario Basic Income (OBI) pilot project. Disabled, he had been relying solely on the Ontario Disability Support Programme (ODSP) to cover his rent and other day-to-day expenses, while also relying on food banks for meals. The […]

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Planning for Post-Quarantine

Now Comes the Fun Part

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Well, Now What?

Clearly, the new normal will be nothing like the old, and we may be stuck with it for quite some time. Make sure you have the AFM in your corner. Don’t go out into this new reality alone and unprepared.

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