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.
October 1, 2014
The musicians of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra have signed a four-year contract that will be in effect through July 2018. The agreement calls for a 14.8% cumulative increase in compensation over the life of the contract: an effective increase of 5% in the annual compensation guarantee in the first year—from $81,179 to $85,279.99—followed by […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2014
AFM members release a new satirical song mocking LionsGate Entertainment for placing profits ahead of people by outsourcing jobs. The AFM’s ListenUp! Campaign is focused on ending offshoring of musician jobs. The song says: “We’re outsourcing workers; we don’t want to stop. We’re concentrating profits right here at the top!” To listen to the tune […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2014
New York City jazz artists and their supporters testified before the City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations and Committee on Civil Service & Labor requesting they endorse Resolution 207-A in support of Local 802’s (New York City) Justice for Jazz Artists Campaign. Some of the world’s best jazz artists spend […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2014
Members of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera have reached an agreement on a two-year contract. Covering the current and 2015-2016 seasons, the contract will provide a total salary increase of 2% while maintaining the number of musicians and season length. Subscriptions sales for the 2014-2015 season are the highest they have been in six years […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2014
Musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra locked out for the second time in two years and the beginning of their 70th anniversary season has been canceled. The previous contract expired September 6. ASO President and CEO Stanley Romanstein refused musicians’ requests to meet in the days leading up to the deadline.The musicians were forced to […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2014
by Laura Ross, ICSOM Secretary and Member of Local 257 (Nashville, TN) The 2014 International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) Conference, hosted by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), was held August 25-28 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Conference focus was on the art of […]
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2014
In a ruling that was 11 years in the making, the National Labor Relations Board found overwhelming evidence of anti-union animus at CNN. It ordered the cable news channel to “make whole” more than 300 employees who lost jobs or benefits under the company’s phony reorganization scheme. The company must also restore any bargaining unit […]
Read MoreSeptember 16, 2014
Enter to win our Sweetwater Gift Card Sweepstakes! Sweetwater is one of the largest and most respected retailers of music gear. Browse from thousands of products including mixers, guitar stands, headphones and more. Sweetwater is the answer for all your music needs. Enter our sweepstakes below and you will be eligible to win one of […]
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September 3, 2014Read More