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, 2020
Local 546 (Knoxville, TN), has filed a labor grievance against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO), which represents musicians of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The two sides now appear headed to arbitration. With less than a week’s notice, KSO’s musicians were furloughed for five months, with the opening of the concert season delayed until February. Days […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
The musicians of the North Carolina Symphony, members of Local 500 (Raleigh, NC), ratified a one-year COVID-19 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) contract modification that was inserted in the second year of a four-year agreement that will now continue through August 31, 2024. Terms previously agreed to for the 2020-21 season will instead apply to the […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
The musicians of the San Antonio Symphony, members of Local 23 (San Antonio, TX), have ratified a one-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that runs from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, within an existing agreement that continues through August 31, 2022. Though the MOA results in an approximately 80% reduction in yearly salary for […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
Musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 125 (Norfolk, VA), have agreed to change the terms of the final year of their three-year agreement, running from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The modified contract begins with a furlough through February 8, 2021. The remainder of the season will include between 10 […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
The musicians of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (PRSO), members of Local 555 (San Juan, PR), are launching a campaign titled Salvemos la Sinfónica (Save the Symphony) to generate interest and support for the PRSO’s dire financial situation, and to pressure local politicians and lawmakers into assisting the orchestra. The PRSO operational budget has been […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
Musicians and management of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) reached a one-year contract agreement, which will be effective through August 29, 2021. ISO musicians, members of Local 3 (Indianapolis, IN), will be paid a weekly stipend of $500 from January to August 2021—approximately a third of their previous salary. While the originally announced 2020-21 season […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
The musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 9-535 (Boston, MA), ratified a new three-year labor agreement that went into effect on August 24, 2020, and runs through August 27, 2023. In response to COVID-19-related revenue loss of $35 million, the agreement includes a compensation reduction averaging 37% in the first year of […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Inc. (BSO) and its musicians, members of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD), have reached a five-year agreement on a new contract that begins on September 7, 2020. This five-year contract provides foundational stability and marks the first long-term agreement since a three-year contract expired in 2016. Central to the agreement is an […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
California’s music community received a major victory in early September when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2257 (AB2257) into law. The law, which is an amendment of California’s “Gig Economy” Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) from last year, provides protections for workers against misclassification. Enactment of AB2257 allows music professionals to follow the Borello test […]
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a ruling ordering European Union countries to treat music creators equally regardless of their nationality, recognizing this as an important milestone in the fight to ensure music fairness. The ECJ ruling stemmed from a case in Ireland regarding whether US music creators should be paid royalties when […]
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