During a special meeting of the International Executive Board via videoconference in January, the AFM International Executive Board (IEB) determined that holding the 102nd Convention in June 2022 in Las Vegas would be impossible due to COVID variants, travel restrictions, and consideration for delegates and staff health and safety. The IEB has rescheduled the 102nd […]
As you may know, musicians and vocalists do not receive a single cent when their recordings are broadcast on AM/FM radio stations. Incredibly, the United States is the only industrialized nation besides North Korea and Iran that has no law requiring a broadcast performance royalty for sound recordings to be paid to artists, musicians, and […]
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a champion of civil rights, equality, and justice. At a time when working people across the country are taking back their power, I am inspired by Dr. King who challenged us to realize that a better world is possible when we stand together. Dr. King denounced “right […]
Musicians and radio performers should be paid fair wages for their work. The American Music Fairness Act is designed to provide royalty payments to artists, session musicians, and vocalists when their recordings are performed and broadcast over AM and FM radio. The American Music Fairness Act will: Ensure performers are compensated when their songs are […]
Today (October 19) marks the 125th anniversary of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). In the 125 years since its inception, the AFM has had one goal: to elevate, protect, and advance the interests of all musicians who receive pay for their musical services. It was an evolutionary act of organizing that gathered musician leaders […]
Congress proposes to restore tax deductions for performing artists. The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act legislation would provide much-needed tax relief to working artists by updating the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) tax deduction, which allows certain performing artists to deduct the cost of expenses incurred in the course of their employment. The Performing Artist Tax […]
An announcement Sunday by the San Antonio Symphony Society that it would immediately impose its “last, best and final offer” prompted a unanimous strike vote by the musicians of the San Antonio Symphony. The employer’s offer would reduce the orchestra from 72 members earning approximately $35,000 seasonally to 42 full-time “core” positions earning $24,500 each […]
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) stands in solidarity with members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in their fight for a fair contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). “IATSE members are key behind-the-scenes workers in film and television production, and […]
Many of us think of Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer—and we sometimes forget it’s the day we recognize and celebrate the achievements of working people. Whether you are spending time with your family or doing a gig this weekend—take pride in being a union member and part of the labor movement. We […]
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is saddened to learn of the death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka today. Throughout his entire life, Rich Trumka fought hard to improve the lives of working people, not only in the United States, but around the world. AFM sends its most sincere condolences […]