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.
February 1, 2016
Alberta Moves Towards $15 Minimum — Alberta’s government is taking steps towards instituting a $15 minimum wage.
February 1, 2016
LUNO Works to Preserve Woody Guthrie Legacy — A collaborative project with the Woody Guthrie Center and the Woody Guthrie Archives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will have students and faculty from Loyola University New Orleans transcribing a collection of Woody Guthrie interviews that are currently only available in audio format.
February 1, 2016
Whole Food Workers Gain Small Victory — Despite its wholesome image, workers at Whole Foods have been trying to unionize since 2014, while they face continued wage cuts and layoffs.
February 1, 2016
Trainor Takes People’s Choice — Meghan Trainor won the People’s Choice “Favorite Album” Award for her debut album, Title.
February 1, 2016
Detroit Teachers Denounce “Third World” Conditions — On January 11 more than 60 Detroit city schools were closed when teachers staged sickouts to protest “third world” conditions at some schools.
February 1, 2016
Guitar Center: Sign Our Arbitration Agreement or Lose Your Job — Employees at Guitar Center retail stores have been told that they must sign a mandatory arbitration agreement in order to keep their jobs.
February 1, 2016
Trumka Denounces Trump for Dividing Workers — In January, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka called out Donald Trump for dividing working people along racial and religious lines…
February 1, 2016
Beethoven Composition Discovered in Greenwich — Brendan Ryan , the musician, who was long obsessed with Beethoven, recognized the German writing on the manuscript.
February 1, 2016
New Agreement for Canadian Actors — In December, US and Canadian producers reached an agreement with ACTRA, Canada’s performers union, to renew their Independent Production Agreement (IPA) for the next three years.
February 1, 2016
Renewed Call for Boycott of Malaysian Orchestra Auditions — While no reason was given, it is suspected that it was an intimidation tactic before presenting the remaining musicians with a new contract that they were asked to sign and return within a few days.