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.
November 14, 2016
Know your value and stand up for your rights!
November 4, 2016
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Rochelle Skolnick, SSD counsel, has been chosen to fill the SSD director position.
November 2, 2016
I am delighted to announce two important changes to Federation staff—one in our Symphonic Services Division…
October 31, 2016
This 312-page document contains a synopsis of submissions from various unions and organizations that pertain to areas of the Employment Standards Act (ESA) and the Labour Relations Act (LRA) that may no longer be relevant in today’s workplace—specifically to workers in the audiovisual/media industry
October 12, 2016
In recognition of that, the MPC has decided to put forth a short list of guiding principles for copyright reform, as opposed to specifics. This allows for a better opportunity to achieve consensus.
While still in draft form, here are the main points:
October 10, 2016
This was my first experience with the power of the paper trail, which is a direct result of the protections of working under an AFM contract.
October 4, 2016
The November 8 general election will mark a turning point in American government and history. America’s values are on the line and it is up to each and every registered voter to weigh in and select a president that shares our values as workers
September 30, 2016
As we reach out to colleagues we are frequently asked, “What is the Recording Musicians Association, or RMA? What do you do?” The first answer is that we are a player conference of the AFM. The next question is often, “What’s that?”
September 30, 2016
For the last few years, I’ve taken great pleasure in announcing at each AFM and symphonic player conference that there currently are no ongoing symphony orchestra strikes or lockouts within the AFM. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. On Thursday, September 8, 2016, the Dallas-Ft. Worth Professional Musicians’ Association, Local 72-147, sent out a […]
September 30, 2016
On August 11, 2015, I became the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 105 (Spokane, WA) after having been a rank-and-file member since 2002.