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.
May 2, 2014
There’s a lot going on with the Theatre Musicians Association (TMA) right now. Before I tell you about our 2014 Annual Conference location, I’d like to fill you in on what TMA is up to leading up to our conference and beyond. Theatre Contract Data Repository TMA is proud to announce that the new Theatre […]
April 8, 2014
Recording musicians are delighted to welcome new Director of Electronic Media Services Division Bill Thomas, and we would like to thank AFM President Ray Hair and the AFM International Executive Board for bringing this fantastic professional and terrific person into our organization. We would also like to thank and honor retired EMSD Director Dick Gabriel, […]
April 5, 2014
At the December general meeting of La Guilde des Musiciens et Musiciennes du Québec, Local 406, a motion was passed to conduct a referendum of the members to determine if they should disaffiliate from the AFM. Coincidentally, it was exactly 20 years ago that the exact same question was asked. In 1994, the count fell […]
April 5, 2014
I believe in unionism. I always have, from my earliest working days as a carpenter. I tried to join the Carpenters Union (closed shop, had to know someone). When I transitioned into being a professional, full-time musician, I joined the AFM. I’m not sure why I always felt that unions were a good thing. I […]
April 4, 2014
by Paul Williams, President and Chairman of the Board of ASCAP and member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) Creating music is a collective art. Whether you are a musician or a songwriter, what you do with your musical gifts ultimately thrives when you collaborate. As the AFM has been for musicians, ASCAP has been […]
April 3, 2014
While a prime reason to belong to the union is collective bargaining agreements, there are a number of other advantages to belonging and participating in union benefits. Annually, I review some of the programs available to our members. The AFM is part of the Union Plus, Liberty Mutual, and Mercer programs. The Union Plus Credit […]
April 2, 2014
Following is the text of the keynote speech I delivered February 25, 2014 in Oslo, Norway on the occasion of the 3rd International Orchestra Conference hosted by the International Federation of Musicians (FIM). On behalf of the entire membership of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, the largest labor union […]
March 8, 2014
The CFM is fortunate to have one of the best instrument insurance packages. It’s been available only to members, through our partners at Hub International, for more than 30 years. The plan has been so stable and successful, that premiums have not increased for 20 years. But we now live in very litigious times, and […]
March 6, 2014
AFM Vice President from Canada Alan Willaert and I recently attended the funeral of Vice President from Canada Emeritus Ray Petch, 80, who passed away February 1, after a brief illness. Ray served with us in many capacities. He had many passions, but his one true love was music. Ray spent most of his years […]
March 4, 2014
As previously reported in this column, the Federation recently opened two sets of industry-wide media negotiations for the purpose of concluding successor agreements for musicians working in two distinctly different sectors. On December 16, 2013, we exchanged proposals with an association of symphonic, opera, and ballet employers toward the goal of updating and improving our […]