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.
December 21, 2015
IM -More than 300 workers at two Coca Cola facilities in Niles and Alsip, Illinois, initiated an unfair labor practices strike against the company last week. Teamsters Joint Council 25 Spokesman Will Petty says the company was stalling and not bargaining in good faith after the labor contract expired.
“For weeks on end, Coca-Cola Refreshments has shown no effort to negotiate a fair and equitable agreement with workers and repeatedly delayed or ignored the union’s good faith bargaining,” said John Coli Jr., president of Local 727. “Due to Coca-Cola Refreshments’ harsh and unreasonable actions, our members overwhelmingly authorized the unfair labor practice strike and have taken to the picket line to demand respect from their employer.”
According to the workers, the unfair labor practices strike was authorized after representatives had met 12 times with management since October, and they had been threatened and intimidated by managers carrying baseball bats.