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

IM



Spokane Symphony Member Awarded Union Plus Scholarship

AFM Local 105 (Spokane, WA) member Kristin Joham has been awarded a $1,000 Union Plus scholarship. Joham, who has been a member of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University since 2008, plans to study speech and hearing sciences.

Read More

My Musical Roots in the AFM

I am happy to write this article on behalf of the AFM Diversity Committee. I have been an AFM member since 1989. I feel proud to be a member.

Read More

New AFM and SAG-AFTRA Fund Leader Named

AFM President Ray Hair announced that Robert DiPaola now leads the AFM and SAG-AFTRA Fund as its chief executive officer.

Read More

Mississippi Nissan Plant Workers Seek Organization

In mid-July pro-union workers at Nissan Motor Company’s Mississippi plant filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board seeking a vote on union representation from the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Read More

Union Group Acquires Chicago Sun-Times

An investment group led by former Chicago Alderman Edwin Eisendrath acquired the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Reader, staving off a competing bid by the owner of the Chicago Tribune Tronc, Inc and preserving the newspaper’s independent voice in Chicago.

Read More

Guitar Center Workers Ratify First Contract

On July 11, The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced that Guitar Center workers in four stores have ratified their first union contracts

Read More

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck Finalist for National Award

Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) Trustee Dan Beck is a finalist in the 2017 Octicon Focus on People Awards, which honor outstanding people with hearing loss.

Read More

New Equity Deal with Resident Theaters

Actors’ Equity Association members ratified a new five-year contract with the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) in June.

Read More

NJ Charter School Refuses to Pay Teachers

Merit Preparatory Charter School in Newark, New Jersey, which has been ordered to close at the end of June due to its low test scores, says it will not pay its teachers the final two months owed.

Read More

Ono Receives Credit for “Imagine”

In June, David Israelite, chief executive of the National Music Publishers Association, announced that Yoko Ono will be getting long overdue credit for her contribution to John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Read More

NEWS