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.
August 31, 2024
Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) musicians joined our SAG-AFTRA colleagues at two picket line actions in Burbank last month as actors take a stand against the video game industry to fight for artificial intelligence (AI) protections, improved wages, and fair treatment. SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games went on strike against all video game […]
August 31, 2024
“Firing dancers? Not the answer” and “Union busting is disgusting!” rang out from nearly 200 protesters marching in front of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. The rally on August 17, led by the national labor union American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), was in protest of auditions taking place at the dance company to replace main […]
August 31, 2024
Musicians who perform for Arden Theatre productions have successfully filed a petition for recognition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to be represented by Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA). The request followed a nod from a “supermajority” of musicians signing union cards. “This was actually musician driven,” says Local 77 President Ellen Trainer of the […]
July 30, 2024
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has announced its enthusiastic endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president in the 2024 election and thanked President Joe Biden for his dedication to public service and support for working people. This presidential endorsement is based on the Biden-Harris administration’s unwavering commitment […]
July 30, 2024
The faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) successfully petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold an election to recognize AFM Local 4 (Cleveland, OH) as their representative for the purposes of collective bargaining. An organizing committee was created this past spring to determine if there was enough support among the teachers […]
June 26, 2024
The Music and Musicians Tax Credit and Jobs Act was signed into law on June 5 in the Illinois General Assembly. The legislation is cosponsored by Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL) and will provide $2 million in tax credits to qualifying music companies in the state that record soundtracks and employ local musicians. The bill was advanced by […]
June 1, 2024
President Biden’s administration has empowered the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to advance its mission of protecting the right of workers to organize, making significant progress to restore and fortify this powerful agency that had been hollowed out by the previous administration. Under Biden’s appointees to the NLRB, the agency is wielding its authority to […]
June 1, 2024
On May 7, a webinar was held by the League of American Orchestras in partnership with the AFM and several other organizations to detail the latest rules of travel with musical instruments containing protected species. The webinar, a transcript, and slide presentation are now available for free, on-demand at the website: www.americanorchestras.org/travel-rules-for-protected-species-and-musical-instruments/. The webinar explains […]
June 1, 2024
CFM Representing at JUNO and ECMA Awards by Liana White, AFM Canadian Office Executive Director The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) was present at two of Canada’s biggest music awards shows, the JUNO Awards and the East Coast Music Awards (ECMA). This year’s JUNO Awards were held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the first time […]
June 1, 2024
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the US Census Bureau, in 2023, creative professionals represented by unions made on average 34% more than their nonunion counterparts. The AFL-CIO’s Department of Professional Employees connects 12 arts unions, including the AFM, in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industry Coordinating Committee (AEMI). Union members, working as […]