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.
December 16, 2015
McDonalds Investigated for EU Tax Evasion — According to USA Today, European regulators are investigating McDonald’s to determine if McDonald’s was given an unfair tax advantage by Luxembourg in breach of European Union state aid rules.
Read MoreDecember 15, 2015
App Could Block Cell Phone Usage — For the last several years, artists have had to accept constant video recording and photo taking by fans during concerts.
Read MoreDecember 15, 2015
Big Bird Remains Union — Earlier this year, Sesame Workshop announced a partnership with HBO bringing first-run episodes of Sesame Street exclusively to HBO for the next five years. After nine months of appearing only on HBO, shows will then air on PBS.
Read MoreDecember 14, 2015
The Copyright on Silence
Read MoreDecember 11, 2015
RNs Meeting Covers Staffing — More than a thousand RN’s, members of National Nurses United, gathered in Los Angeles for a conference covering nursing issues.
Read MoreDecember 11, 2015
Don Was Honored with Les Paul Award — The NAMM Foundation has announced that record producer, music industry executive, and Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) member Don Was will receive the 2016 Les Paul Award at the 31st annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards and TECnology Hall of Fame January 23 at the 2016 NAMM Show.
Read MoreDecember 10, 2015
Virtual School Teachers Organize — Online teachers in California recently won a victory in the effort to organize the state’s charter schools.
Read MoreDecember 10, 2015
Scholarships Available to Union Families — Union families looking for help financing education should check out the Union Plus Scholarship. Awards are granted to students attending two-year colleges, four-year colleges, graduate schools, as well as recognized technical or trade schools.
Read MoreDecember 9, 2015
American Airlines Employees Approve Five-Year Deal — The 14,500 US-based passenger service employees of the new American Airlines have approved a new five-year contract that includes immediate and significant pay raises.
Read MoreDecember 9, 2015
Chamber Music Anyone? — The weekend of March 5-6, 2016 will see musicians around the world gathering to take part in the 2016 Worldwide Chamber Music Play-In, a tradition begun in the 1960s by the nonprofit Association of Amateur Chamber Music Players (ACMP).
Read More