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.
January 11, 2016
Retiring COO Mancini Reflects on His Years at the AFM — Lew Mancini has worked for the AFM for 40 years. In its 120-year history, the AFM has had 12 presidents.
January 11, 2016
Former AFM Director Dick Gabriel (1940-2015), A True Friend to Recording Musicians — Former AFM Director of Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) and Assistant to the President Dick Gabriel passed away at the end of November.
January 11, 2016
Musicians Demonstrate Against Exploitation at Warner Bros. — The group distributed leaflets objecting to the studio’s facilitation of nonunion activity on its property by permitting a nonunion “dark” date by Cinema Scoring, an employer with whom AFM Local 47 has a labor dispute.
January 11, 2016
Chamber Music, Anyone? — On March 5-6 musicians around the world will gather to take part in the 2016 Worldwide Chamber Music Play-In, a tradition begun in the 1960s by the nonprofit Association of Amateur Chamber Music Players (ACMP).
January 11, 2016
Coal Boss Found Guilty — Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was convicted of conspiracy to violate mine safety laws in the 2010 Upper Big Branch mining disaster that killed 29 miners.
January 11, 2016
Perlman Awarded Genesis Prize — Violinist and Local 802 (New York City) member Itzhak Perlman has been selected as the 2016 Genesis Prize Laureate.
January 11, 2016
AFL-CIO Boosts Detroit Housing — The trust will help acquire, finance, and repair up to 300 single-family homes in the Detroit Land Bank Authority inventory, utilizing union labor and creating union apprentice programs over the next three to five years.
January 11, 2016
Nelson Receives CWA Award from AFM President Hair — Nelson received the award for his stance against union busters at the Farm Aid Concerts and his defense of working people everywhere.
January 11, 2016
Launch of Institute for Women Conductors — November 28-December 6 saw the launch of the Dallas Opera’s first week-long Institute for Women Conductors.
January 11, 2016
American Airlines Employees Approve Five-Year Deal — The 14,500 US-based passenger service employees of the new American Airlines have approved a five-year contract that includes immediate and significant pay raises.