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.
January 1, 2024
Asked if she was aware of a gender bias early on in her aspiring Broadway career, Georgia Stitt of Local 802 (New York City) pauses a moment to consider. “I don’t think I had experienced it yet at that level,” says Stitt. “I remember specifically saying to someone in college that I wanted to be […]
Read MoreJanuary 1, 2024
Unfortunately, finding success as an independent musician often requires more than high musical proficiency and a professional working demeanor. As most of our freelance musicians already know, you’re a small business and quite a bit of work is required outside of your performance. Here are a few things to think about, as well as a […]
Read MoreJanuary 1, 2024
January is usually the time to take stock of our health and personal growth, generally with a multitude of New Year’s resolutions. People often vow to take a break from liquid cheer in “dry January.” Whether you simply want to cleanse from overindulging during the holidays, or are looking to make a long-term change, drinking […]
Read MoreDecember 30, 2023
Contract negotiations for AFM’s Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture Agreements with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will begin January 22 in Los Angeles, California. Planning for the upcoming negotiations began in 2021 with the steering committee and rank-and-file musicians collaborating with the AFM director of organizing to […]
Read MoreDecember 30, 2023
The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) announced its annual labor communications contest winners for 2022 entries. The largest competition exclusively for labor journalists and communicators, the awards recognize excellence among union publications, websites, video, and other media from across North America. The AFM/International Musician received two Saul Miller awards for excellent writing connected to the […]
Read MoreDecember 12, 2023
On December 12, the Department for Professional Employees (DPE) of the AFL-CIO hosted a meeting of the arts, entertainment, and media industry unions with the administrator of the Wages and Hours Division of the US Department of Labor (DOL) to discuss enforcement of the prevailing wage requirement in connection with direct and indirect grants from […]
Read MoreDecember 8, 2023
Struggling to find the perfect gift for the musician in your life? Or for yourself!Check out the great suggestions below: Luis & Clark Instruments Contrary to the beliefs of many, Luis & Clark carbon fiber instruments are not “machine made.” They are individually made, by hand. They are fabricated, using molds and each is made […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2023
In 2023, union leaders were buoyed by a robust National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that empowered organizing nationwide. Though less than the surge of actions in 2022, filing of petitions for union representation in FY 2023 ticked up 3% (after a 53% spike in FY 2022). Union representation petitions for elections were up 3% over […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2023
Venezuelan trumpet player Raul Agraz, member of Local 802 (New York City), says decades ago, when he was growing up, his home country had many similarities to the United States. “It was a fairly prosperous country, and it was a melting pot much like the US. Musicians from all around the world lived and worked […]
Read MoreNovember 28, 2023
The actors’ strike is over, with the union approving an agreement with Hollywood studios in November. Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) characterized the deal as a big win, with the contract achieving significant breakthroughs on actors’ pay and putting guardrails on the industry’s use of generative artificial intelligence […]
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