The Benefits of Membership

1. Contract Protection: AFM contracts are free and available for union members. By filing a signed AFM contract at the Local, you have automatic protection should a purchaser default.
2. Legal Advice: Local 76-493 provides dispute resolution including mediation, small claims court and referrals to appropriate legal experts.
3. Referral Hotline Service: The union receives many leads per month for live music. Members get daily updates via email or by calling the local office. 2% work dues apply to referral jobs.
4. Pension Plan: The AFM-EP (Pension) Fund, one of the best in North America, is 100% employer funded and is available if you perform at qualifying workplaces or single engagements.
5. Health and Dental Insurance Plans: Group Health is available when new members join and every year in March for current members. Rates are based on your age. A comprehensive dental plan is open to members from month to month.
6. Instrument and Equipment Insurance: Coverage is available at competitive rates, ensuring that your gear (including computers) is insured wherever you are working, not just at home.
7. Legislative Advocacy: The AFM legislative office represents musicians’ issues in Washington, D.C. The local union works directly with city, county and state government to protect musicians’ rights and promote initiatives that help performers.
8. Local Wage Scales: Set by working musicians these minimum wages keep us working cooperatively and allow us to keep a fair rate for the musicians’ services.
9. Trade Shows: The local union hosts a booth at several regional wedding shows each year generating gigs for members.
10. Local and National Recording Contracts: The AFM negotiates minimum wages and working conditions for all media; CD’s, TV, Radio, NPR, Jingles, Films, Demos, Video Games, Digital Downloads, etc. Using union contracts guarantees your fair share, including pension, additional payments for new use, yearly profit-sharing payment (residuals) and protection.
11. RIMPF: The Recording Industries Music Performance Fund is used as a co-sponsor for live gigs that are free and open to the public. Our yearly allocation funds over $30,000.00 in musician wages. With the local union, the RIMPF strives to develop audiences, enrich the professional talent pool and ensure the health of the music business.