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.
December 1, 2024
Together with a robust delegation from the AFM, I attended the Fifth International Orchestra Conference (IOC) of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), October 23-26, in Malmö, Sweden. In addition to myself, the delegation included Vice President from Canada Allistair Elliott, AFM Director of Symphonic Services and Special Counsel Rochelle Skolnick, International Conference of Symphony […]
December 1, 2024
The one thing I appreciate about the outcome of the US elections this year is that the results are unambiguous. This provides a heightened clarity of purpose for the next two years, if not the next four, for anyone who makes a living in the arts or who works in the labor movement. Funding for […]
December 1, 2024
As we come to the end of another calendar year, I look back on the whirlwind of the last seven months since I took office. Negotiations continue on several fronts, both in New York City with Live TV negotiations, and in Toronto with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), TV Ontario (TVO) (now complete), and […]
December 1, 2024
The indisputable rise of right-wing leaders in the US government culminated in an unequivocal victory for the Republican Party on November 5. Unfortunately, there is every reason to believe that a similar movement will bring the right-wing Conservative Party of Canada to power within a year. What are the challenges trade unions face in the […]
November 1, 2024
One of the many satisfying elements of my position in our union is the opportunity to meet every year with the officers of the various regional local conferences and officers and delegates of the player conferences. We just concluded another conference season. I want to bring attention to our conferences because they are important to […]
November 1, 2024
As of this writing, the US presidential elections have not yet been held, although I suspect that as this paper hits the membership’s mailboxes, the votes will have been counted, the networks will have announced a winner, and the promised lawsuits challenging the outcome will have been filed. Can American musicians look forward to a […]
November 1, 2024
En Francais – Prendre ses affaires en main – enregistrement 101 : ce qu’il faut savoir One thing that has changed exponentially over the last few years is the ability to come up with a great recording, without spending days in a studio. Great quality home recording projects are happening everywhere. With the advancement of software […]
November 1, 2024
On July 23, the Pamphlet B touring production of Back to the Future arrived at The Kennedy Center for a three-week run. In the months leading up to that date, there had been speculation about the details of this production, including whether it utilized the virtual orchestra technology known as KeyComp. It was important because […]
October 1, 2024
On September 4, the Federation opened negotiations with the major television networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) for a successor Live Television Videotape Agreement. During this first round, both sides exchanged opening proposals and returned initial impressions to the other side. In addition to much-needed structural changes to some sections of the agreement, the AFM is […]
October 1, 2024
In the world of AFM policy wonks, the perception is that the AFM Secretary-Treasurer is in charge of International Musician. The reality, however, is that the AFM International Executive Board is the supervisor of the paper. My job is to make sure that we have the staff to produce it and get it into the […]