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.
In 2023, union leaders were buoyed by a robust National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that empowered organizing nationwide. Though less than the surge of actions in 2022, filing of petitions for union representation in FY 2023 ticked up 3% (after a 53% spike in FY 2022). Union representation petitions for elections were up 3% over […]
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) broke another record in residuals collected for musicians during the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2023. Total collections for fiscal year 2023 exceeded $141 million—surpassing the previous record of just over $130 million in 2022. On June 30, FMSMF processed payments for approximately 18,000 musicians and beneficiaries […]
The 102nd Convention of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada was held June 26 through June 29, 2023 at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The theme “In Unity, There Is Strength” was reflected in the various discourse among the delegates and echoed by many guest speakers. […]
Lire cette chronique en français: https://internationalmusician.org/enfin/ It was almost 30 years ago that the AFM International Executive Board (IEB) approved a document for use in Canada to cover theatrical motion pictures and episodic television film, which were considered Canadian content. More specifically, the productions had to comply with established criteria, such as certification through the […]
From Amazon to Starbucks to musical workplaces, the ingredients of a labor campaign are universal. This year saw inspiring wins at two major—and notoriously anti-union—corporations, and workers triumphed. Though the midterm elections ushered in a divided federal government, the administration will continue to turn its attention to the federal agencies to achieve its labor and […]
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund’s 50th year was one of transformation to better position it to meet the opportunities and challenges of an evolving industry. In 1972, the only known secondary markets were free TV, pay TV, and cassettes. No one could have predicted how radically the industry’s business models would change nor imagine […]
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) once again hit a record high in residuals collected for musicians in fiscal year 2022 (ending 3/31/2022). These secondary market residuals were established in the AFM’s Basic Theatrical and Basic Television agreements. The residuals have been collected by the FMSMF since the 1970s. They have grown over the […]
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) once again hit a record high in residuals collected for musicians in fiscal year 2022 (ending 3/31/2022). These secondary market residuals were established in the AFM’s Basic Theatrical and Basic Television agreements. The residuals have been collected by the FMSMF since the 1970s. They have grown over the […]
by Matt Allen, AFM Electronic Media Services Division Contract Administrator In films produced all across the United States and Canada, musicians are regularly employed by film producers for sideline work. Sidelining is when a musician is engaged to “mime” the playing of an instrument on camera, typically to a prerecording that is played back on […]
As International Musician went to press, the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund was finalizing the numbers for the fiscal year that began April 1, 2020 and ended March 31, 2021. This 2021 fiscal year is the year upon which the July 1, 2021 regular distribution of secondary market residuals will be determined. What a year those 12 months turned out to […]
