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 1, 2022
On February 1, 2022, the Government of Canada made a commitment to supporting the recovery of the arts and culture sector, which has been among the hardest hit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of renewed shutdowns and public health restrictions due to the emergence of the omicron variant have been particularly severe for the […]
February 1, 2022
Early last year, after an all-out lobbying effort by US labor unions, the Federation, and the AFM-EP Fund to mobilize rank-and-file union members and Fund participants, together with concerted action by a host of others, Congress passed and President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). ARPA provides desperately needed […]
February 1, 2022
With the recent passing of retired AFM International Representative Eugene Tournour, the AFM and the labor movement have lost a remarkable labor activist. Gene could often be found on the front lines of demonstrations, protesting injustice in the fight for civil and workers’ rights. In the early 1960s, Gene was a Regional Representative for the […]
February 1, 2022
After a very complicated and mixed 2021, we have the good fortune of moving forward into a new year. Like waking up to a new sunny morning after many days of thunderstorms, a new year brings new hope, but during these uncertain times, new challenges as well. For those of you who have lost loved […]
February 1, 2022
As the omicron variant pushes daily infections to the tens of thousands (in Ontario and Quebec), the provincial governments’ response has been to return to a modified Stage 2, once again precipitating capacity limits, along with complete shutdowns. This new wave of closures is particularly difficult because live performance workers were just beginning to get […]
January 1, 2022
As I compose this month’s column, I’ve received notice from the American Arbitration Association (AAA) that musicians employed under the Federation’s Motion Picture Film and Television Film Agreements have ratified a one-year extension to those agreements, extending all provisions of the existing agreements together with a 3% increase in wages. That extension preserves and protects […]
January 1, 2022
As the ball has dropped in Times Square ushering in the 2022 New Year, the hope is that this year will bring improved work situations for all AFM members. Last year brought the reopening of some theaters and music venues, but the return to full employment has been elusive. While we all want to get […]
January 1, 2022
Looking back at the past couple of years makes me think of a laundry cycle. Throw everything into the machine, it fills with water. Then, the soaking begins, followed by a lot of agitation, rinse, and spin. Then it’s either thrown into the dryer or hung out to dry. At the end of the cycle, […]
January 1, 2022
A recent three-day web meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) was especially interesting. It not only confirmed many of the assumptions we had about the impact of COVID internationally, but it revealed alarming similarities between countries that could not be more different socially or economically. Further, there was affirmation of the necessity for change […]
December 1, 2021
I rallied with hundreds of supporters of San Antonio Symphony musicians at their performance hall, The Tobin Center, October 29, following a unanimous strike vote rejecting an attempt to impose pay cuts ranging from 31% to 68%. Following are selections from my speech to the attendees. As we stand shoulder to shoulder with striking musicians […]