AFM Departments

Electronic Media Services Division

The Electronic Media Services Division (Recording Department) administers and enforces the AFM's collectively bargained recording agreements such as the Commercial Announcements, Phonograph Record, and Motion Picture and Television agreements. (Under AFM bylaws musicians are not permitted to render recording services for an entity which is not signatory to the proper AFM labor agreement). Maintenance and enforcement of agreements include:

• Securing signatory status to the proper AFM agreement prior to rendering services

• Creating special letters of agreement to cover unique recording situations

• Preparing notices prior to negotiations and overseeing signatory renewals

• Researching and monitoring changes in industry and new types of media/technology

• Collecting "new use" payments (i.e. payments for use of recordings in theatrical motion pictures/commercial announcements, etc.). Collection procedures include: research to find original B-4 recording contract so that a "new use" bill may be submitted to the party utilizing the material; payment collection and disbursal to musicians; research to locate the musicians and beneficiaries

• Handling recording claims and collections

In addition, the division:

• Develops music business seminars

• Negotiates agreements for music festivals

• Troubleshoots problem areas in the recording agreements

National Legislative Office  

The National Legislative Office (NLO) in Washington, DC is the center of AFM advocacy for national legislation that will benefit the working lives of musicians. The NLO:

• Focuses on: public funding for the arts; tax, labor, copyright and intellectual property issues; worker safety (ergonomics) and government appropriations
• Administers TEMPO-PCC (Task Force for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization Political Contribution Committee), the AFM's nonpartisan, grass roots lobbying fund, which is supported by voluntary contributions from members. TEMPO-PCC makes disbursements to political candidates of either party who have demonstrated support for the labor movement and professional musicians
• Meets with members of the U.S. House and Senate advocating support for legislation that benefits musicians
• Builds coalitions to increase the effectiveness of the AFM's political process through Legislative Action Network (LAN) Program which keeps members apprised of activity in the Washington political arena
• Works with other AFL-CIO affiliated unions on areas of mutual interest  

Organizing & Education Dept.

The Organizing and Education Department (O & E) promotes the AFM's goal of organizing musicians wherever possible to work under collective bargaining agreements. Department organizers work with locals, other Federation departments, arts, labor and community organizations to reach this goal. It also supports existing bargaining units during contract negotiations. Its services include:

• On-site assistance in coordinating of campaigns for collective bargaining

• Assistance with establishing local organizing programs

• Education through officer and member training workshops and seminars offered in local areas  

Symphonic Services Division

The Symphonic Services Division assists local officers, orchestra committees, symphony musicians, negotiators and symphonic music students in the following areas:

• Advises on contract interpretation, recording projects, auditions, negotiating strategy, arbitration precedents, organizing techniques and miscellaneous problems
• Offers assistance with negotiations, arbitration and organizing of new orchestras to win union recognition and collective bargaining agreements
• Negotiates and administers the Symphony, Opera & Ballet Audio Visual Agreement and Symphonic Limited Pressing agreements
• Provides data for negotiations including extensive analyses of orchestras' financial records and a collective bargaining agreement database accessible online. Prepares wage charts annually for approximately 125 orchestras
• Offers seminars in preparing for and conducting negotiations, contract administration, and relationships between locals, orchestra committees and the rank-and-file
• Provides materials for local officers as needed on orchestras, bargaining, union stewards, informational picketing, pre-strike preparation, symphonic public relations and symphonic electronic media
• Oversees the union's responsibilities to administer CBAs through the Orchestra Services Program (OSP). Orchestras enter the OSP when a local cannot supply basic services, as defined in the AFM Bylaws
• Monitors electronic media services, assists negotiators to maintain proper contract language and industry standards, and develops special letters of agreement to cover unique recording projects

Touring/Theater/Booking Division

The Touring/Theater/Booking Division serves members who tour with bands and theatrical productions and supports the negotiation of local and national theater collective bargaining agreements. Its services include:

• Negotiation, administration and enforcement of Federation-wide touring agreements ("Pamphlets")-over 200 musicians are employed under these agreements at any time. In many cases, traveling shows generate local employment for non-traveling AFM members who augment these companies. [See Appendix for complete list of agreements]
• Administration of the AFM's Franchised Booking Agent program which currently has 350 signatories-AFM booking agents agree to act in accordance with standards outlined in the AFM's agreement. (See index to find more information on this topic.) The Department offers mediation of disputes between members and booking agents. Booking agents currently pay an annual renewal fee of $100 to the AFM. The Division also provides information to locals, franchised agents, and employers who wish to contact AFM members for purposes of employment.
• Maintenance of an online Traveling Musicians' Database which enables locals to bill travelers' work dues in an efficient manner
• Assistance to numerous locals throughout the Federation in preparation and negotiation of theatrical contracts