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.

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Recent News

New Gains Create Momentum for Organizing in 2023

Energized by new legislative wins, Democrats are working to help union organization efforts by tackling policies that weaken unions, such as right-to-work laws and employer-mandated captive audience meetings in which employees are warned against organizing or joining a union. Meanwhile, union leaders seek to strengthen National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) funding and staffing to further […]


American Music Fairness Act: Battle Continues as Awareness, Support Grow

In early December, the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), which would require AM/FM stations to pay performance royalties to featured artists, musicians, and vocalists for radio airplay, moved a step closer to passage as the House Judiciary Committee voted favorably to advance the bill. While the AMFA, ultimately, was not included in the final language […]


Local 47 Shows Solidarity with Striking University of California Workers

Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) members and the Los Angeles labor community stood united with striking UAW academic workers at a December 14 rally held at UCLA. The University of California and academic workers have since announced a tentative labor agreement. “It was uplifting to help represent Local 47 and the AFM in supporting the […]


2022 Year In Review—A Year of Power to Workers

From Amazon to Starbucks to musical workplaces, the ingredients of a labor campaign are universal. This year saw inspiring wins at two major—and notoriously anti-union—corporations, and workers triumphed. Though the midterm elections ushered in a divided federal government, the administration will continue to turn its attention to the federal agencies to achieve its labor and […]


Musicians Win Union Contract for Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish

Beginning in 2018, Fiddler on the Roof performed in Yiddish was selling out shows. The off-Broadway production, which was about to go on tour in 2020 when the pandemic hit, was revived this fall at New World Stages. The production had a union contract covering the actors and other production workers, but the producers refused […]


Canada’s Resilience Fund Delivers for Professional Development Programs

The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez announced nearly $10 million directed to 59 projects that will provide long-term support for cultural workers and musicians, including projects for two AFM unions, Local 145 (Vancouver, BC) and Local 571 (Halifax, NS).


Playing Whac-a-Mole with Copyright Laws

In 1997, Canada signed the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), one of two international treaties negotiated for the purpose of adapting copyright rules to new and emerging technologies. The treaty set out a number of protections that member countries are to provide to authors. Article 8 provides that authors of literary and artistic works shall enjoy the […]


Report from the Theatre Musicians Association

by Heather Boehm, Theatre Musicians Association President and Member of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL) There is a lot to report from the Theatre Musicians Association (TMA). We’re deeply engaged in our mission: “… to promote the respective interest of theatre orchestras and their member musicians, both full-time and part-time; both local and traveling; to enhance […]


AFM Emergency Assistance Helps Musicians in Need

Members in good standing who reside in or were employed as musicians in areas designated by FEMA as Federal Disaster Areas for Individual Assistance are encouraged to apply to the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund. Download the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund application from the AFM website and follow the instructions.


MPTF Announces Educational Grants to Students

In September, the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) scholarship program awarded more than $165,000 in educational grants to 120 students. The MPTF scholarship fund was established in June 2020 to help AFM member families during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 90 students whose parents are members of the AFM received the MPTF’s Music Family scholarships […]








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