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.
Allistair Elliott – AFM Vice President from Canada
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 […]
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 […]
October 1, 2024
Most of us get annoyed when ads pop up on social media and we wonder how they knew what we were thinking about. We are already getting used to speaking to Alexa and Siri and it’s hard to ignore that some of the technology references from Back to the Future movies are here. Those are […]
September 1, 2024
en francais While the US approaches another important election in a few months, in Canada we have about 18 months left under the current government. There is a push from the artistic communities in Canada to lobby for a Live Performance Tax Credit. With comparisons to Film Tax credits, a Live Performance Tax credit would […]
August 1, 2024
en francais : Influence et legs : vivre selon notre mission et nos valeurs Most of us, in one way or another, have been influenced artistically by musicians that came before us. As a trumpet player, the music of Miles Davis is one of many such influences on my sound and creative approach to music. While […]
July 1, 2024
Typically, when a new administration begins, there is a target to achieve some positive momentum within the first 100 days. I want to take some time to share my first 30 days in office. Firstly, I have spent some individual time with all staff in the office. We have a small, but dedicated, group and […]
June 1, 2024
en français : Le legs de la direction: entrer dans la fonction de vice-président pour le Canada Having been sworn into office not quite a week ago, I am currently transitioning from my role as Canadian International Representative (IR) to my new position as vice president from Canada. There is a large void in our AFM […]
May 1, 2024
by Allistair Elliott, AFM International Representative for Canadian Locals In 2019, a new Passenger Bill of Rights provided musicians some protection when travelling with instruments on airlines in Canada. This was a significant step that, for the first time, recognized musicians with instruments on Canadian airlines as a specific group. It created an accountability structure […]
February 1, 2024
Membership in the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is indicative of arrival as a professional and carries with it a certain amount of respect and pride and has infinite monetary value. Many of the collective agreements negotiated on behalf of members are also administered by the AFM, but there […]
December 1, 2023
As of this writing, the federal government has introduced Bill C-58, which is the culmination of decades of work by the labour movement in Canada. It aims to ban the practice of employers bringing in replacement workers during a contract dispute. There are two main components to the bill. The first makes it illegal for […]