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.
February 6, 2017
IM -The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) and the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) are happy to announce a new three-year partnership that puts to rest an ongoing dispute brought to light in 2016. Over two days of negotiations, both sides have agreed to new collaborative terms they are certain are fair and beneficial to their respective memberships.
“This dispute was never about the ECMA not compensating musicians appropriately,” says ECMA Executive Director Andy McLean. “We felt the 20-year-old successor agreement was unfair to the majority of our members, and were happy to work in collaboration with the CFM to update the approach in a way that recognizes the current reality of independent musicians in the region.”
“We are pleased to have penned this three-year deal guaranteeing fees and benefits for musicians, which we see as a positive step for the East Coast music community,” says AFM Vice President from Canada Alan Willaert.
All existing contracts for ECMAs in 2017 are still being honoured and performing musicians will see no change to their fees. The East Coast Music Awards 2017 Festival & Conference takes place in Saint John, New Brunswick, from April 26-30.
L’Association de la musique de la côte Est (AMCE) et la Fédération canadienne des musiciens (FCM) sont heureuses d’annoncer un nouveau partenariat de trois ans qui met fin à un conflit qui existe depuis 2016. Après deux jours de négociations, les deux partis ont accepté de nouvelles modalités de collaboration, justes et bénéfiques pour leurs membres respectifs.
« Cette dispute n’a jamais porté sur le fait que l’AMCE ne compense pas correctement les musiciens, » souligne Andy McLean, directeur exécutif de l’AMCE. « Nous avons estimé que l’accord de succession, en place depuis 20 ans, était injuste envers la majorité de nos membres et nous étions heureux de travailler en collaboration avec la FCM pour mettre à jour une approche qui reconnaît la réalité actuelle des musiciens indépendants dans la région. »
« Nous sommes heureux d’avoir signé cet accord de trois ans qui garanti des frais et des avantages aux musiciens, ce que nous considérons comme une étape positive pour la communauté musicale de la côte Est, » dit Alan Willaert, vice-président du American Federation of Musicians (AFM) au Canada.
Tous les contrats existants pour les Prix de la musique de la côte Est 2017 seront honorés et tous les musiciens en performance ne verront aucun changement à leurs frais. Les Prix de la musique de la côte Est 2017 : Festival et conférence auront lieu à Saint John, N.B. du 26-30 avril.