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.
March 28, 2023
Musicians of the Philly Pops—members of Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA) have filed suit against their management, citing breach of contract and demanding compensation for broadcasts of the Pops’ Christmas program in December. In addition, musicians are owed late fees and contributions to pension plans, altogether totaling more than $313,000 in economic damages. The suit comes […]
March 28, 2023
The musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, members of Local 6 (San Francisco, CA), have been playing without a contract since their previous CBA expired in November. The orchestra has begun distributing informational leaflets in the lobby of Davies Symphony Hall before concerts. The leaflets argue for the importance of musicians’ salaries in maintaining the […]
March 2, 2023
The AFM spent more than a decade trying to clarify and improve the ability of musicians to fly with instruments as carry-on baggage. These efforts resulted in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which was implemented in 2015. The law states that if the instrument fits in the airline luggage bins and the […]
February 28, 2023
The International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) has announced its annual communications award winners for 2022. Annually, the organization hosts what is now the largest competition exclusively for labor journalists. Articles that embody the work of the global labor movement are judged by experts in the field from across the industry. International Musician received six awards […]
February 28, 2023
The Congressionally-chartered National Music Council of the United States (NMC), in collaboration with its global partner, the Paris-based International Music Council (IMC), will premiere a landmark symposium addressing the recent spike in political violence against songwriters, composers, and music performers throughout the world. The webcast, available to viewers at www.musiccouncil.org, on March 3, represents a […]
February 28, 2023
The Sphinx Organization welcomed hundreds of musicians, industry leaders, educators, funders, diversity advocates, and administrators to take part in its annual SphinxConnect conference, held at its home base of Detroit, Michigan. In 2022, the arts organization celebrated its 25th anniversary with a virtual conference, but returned to in-person sessions for their January conference. The 2023 […]
December 23, 2022
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 […]
December 23, 2022
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 […]
December 23, 2022
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 […]
December 1, 2022
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 […]