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.

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Organizing

Musicians Bring Campaign to Stop Offshore Scoring to Lionsgate

After more than a month of unsuccessful attempts to reach Lionsgate Entertainment CEO Jon Feltheimer through letters and phone calls, it was time to pay him a visit. Rank-and-file musicians wanted to discuss Lionsgate’s practice of offshoring its musical scoring to distant countries—something that limits local musicians’ ability to earn a living and deprives our […]


Grassroots Efforts Demonstrate Power of Musician Organizing

Fair Trade Music (FTM) Seattle, with support from AFM Local 76-493, has won a significant victory: musician loading zones at several major clubs. This follows a similar win by AFM Local 257 (Nashville, TN), which gained similar zones in 2011. FTM is a grassroots campaign dedicated to raising the standard of living for all Seattle-area […]


AFM Establishes New Local 50

The Regional Mexicano Traveling Musicians Union by Ken Shirk, Assistant to the AFM President, AFM West Coast Office Charter members of the AFM’s newest local gathered January 8th to adopt bylaws, elect temporary officers, and chart the course of their new union. The Regional Mexicano Traveling Musicians Union, AFM Local 50 (Nongeographic), held its first […]


The Money-Go-Round: Musicians, Big Tech, and Piracy

by Adam Witkowski, Director of Organizing for Local 802 (New York City) The following article was reprinted from the October 2013 issue of Allegro, the magazine of AFM Local 802 (New York City). For more background, see www.Local802afm.org. The fight against music piracy has often been a battle waged against regular people. “Don’t pirate!” we’re […]


2014 Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit Discusses Metadata

by Bruce Fife, AFM International Vice President and President of Local 99 (Portland, OR) fairTrade Music S When Future of Music Coalition (FMC) held its October Policy Summit in Washington, DC, the top minds in music, policy, technology, and law convened to talk about our industry, the directions it’s taking, and how we might guide […]


Don’t Mourn: Organize!

by John O’Connor, Local 802 Recording Vice President and Chair of the AFM Organizing Committee The following article was reprinted from the September 2013 issue of Allegro, the magazine of AFM Local 802 (New York City). For more background, see www.Local802afm.org. Adversity is often our best teacher. The case can be made that this is […]








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