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.
September 2, 2014
by Matt Plummer, Organizer, AFM Organizing & Education Division In the last decade, overall use of social media has skyrocketed. People spend almost 2.5 hours a day on average using Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Read MoreSeptember 2, 2014
The answer to that is plenty! Our union, like most families, is not perfect; it is within that imperfection that we usually are able to work out some of our issues and grow. If this is true about biological families, it is also true of our AFM family.
Read MoreSeptember 2, 2014
by Jennifer Garner, AFM Counsel On March 14, I filed a charge against the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with Region 18 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging unlawful interference with the administration of a labor organization.
Read MoreAugust 30, 2014
The Business of Audio Engineering, Second Edition Many musicians eventually set up their own studios in order to record their music, but they may also hope to earn some additional income recording others. Even if you don’t have your own studio, audio engineering can be an excellent side career. Audio engineer and technical support specialist […]
Read MoreAugust 28, 2014
Working America, a national coalition of working families with more than three million members, put together a handy graphic on what working in a Right to Work (RTW) state really means. Lower wages: An average worker in RTW states makes about $1,540 a year less than those in free bargaining states. Fewer benefits: Workers in […]
Read MoreAugust 28, 2014
This summer Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) toured North Carolina’s tobacco farms with a delegation that included members of Britain’s parliament and Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) President Blademar Velásquez. Velásquez, who has been fighting for farm worker rights for more than 35 years, is appealing to elected officials and community leaders to pressure tobacco producers […]
Read MoreAugust 28, 2014
Neil Young of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) and Willie Nelson of Local 433 (Austin, TX) have worked together for decades organizing Farm Aid concerts to benefit family-owned farms in the US. Now they are teaming up for a new cause. On September 27 they will stage a Harvest of Hope concert at a farm […]
Read MoreAugust 28, 2014
In what could be deemed the most colossal pay to play scheme ever, the NFL has reportedly asked potential Super Bowl halftime performers if they would be willing to pay the league to play at its big game.
Read MoreAugust 23, 2014
Neil Young: Waging Heavy Peace With a career spanning more than 40 years, Neil Young of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) is one of the most enduring and popular singer-songwriters of all time. In his first autobiographic memoir he reflects on his life, from childhood in Canada to the ’60s with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, […]
Read MoreAugust 19, 2014
The Metropolitan Opera in New York has reached a tentative settlement with two major unions yesterday morning – Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians which represents the orchestra and American Guild of Musical Arts represents the singers and dancers. Both sides negotiated through the night and early into Monday morning to reach an agreement, with […]
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