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 16, 2019
Much has been written in the past several months, by President Hair and others, about the motion picture/TV film negotiations that have commenced once again in Los Angeles
December 13, 2019
Budgeting is not an exact science, but rather a best guess estimate based on past actuals and the expectations for the upcoming year.
December 13, 2019
“Now that I’m a union officer at both the local and international levels, the work can be just as exhausting and daunting, but fulfilling as well.”
December 1, 2019
The Federation’s negotiations with its bargaining partners in the US and Canada, whether on an industry-wide, single- or multi-employer basis, are a never-ending process.
November 26, 2019
What a surprise getting the word from President Hair that I was being considered to fill a vacancy on the International Executive Board. It is an honor to accept the appointment, and I promise to serve the membership to the best of my ability. I have been an active AFM member since 1975, when I […]
November 23, 2019
en français After four years of lobbying the government of Canada, as well as meeting with airline councils, the Canadian Transport Agency, Minister of Transport, The Honorable Marc Garneau, and his staff at Transport Canada, I am pleased to share the news that, as part of the new Passenger Bill of Rights within the Canadian […]
November 9, 2019
On October 1 and 2, President Hair and I attended the 108th Executive Committee (EC) meeting of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM) in Zurich. President Hair attends as a member of the Presidium (one of the five vice-presidents), and I represented Canada as part of the Executive Committee. Of the 60-plus member countries of […]
November 6, 2019
The delegates to the 2019 AFM Convention passed substitute Resolution No. 9 that directs the international president and the international secretary-treasurer to “commence a study regarding establishing and implementing more efficient and uniform tools and procedures for the administration of AFM electronic media contracts, to decrease the expense of collecting, processing, and remitting payments to […]
November 2, 2019
I am pleased to announce that the International Executive Board has appointed Terryl Jares, president of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL), to fill the unexpired term of Tino Gagliardi, former president of New York City Local 802, who resigned his IEB seat to accept my appointment as director of the Federation’s […]
October 22, 2019
Young members are the future of the AFM, and we welcome your input and involvement to grow the organization in unity and solidarity.