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BENEFITS OF THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, DC FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS MEMBERSHIP

   •  Eligibility for discounted life, health, and instrument/equipment insurance

   •  FREE musician's referral service: www.MusiciansDC.org (performers and instructors)

   •  International Musician, a monthly publication of the AFM, including national audition listings

   •  Hi-Notes, a monthly newsletter of Local 161-710

   •  Eligibility for concert sponsorship by MPTF (Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Funds)

   •  AFM contracts, including single engagements through recordings, and the backing of the legal counsel of the AFM if those contracts are breached

   •  Negotiation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.

   •  Union Privilege program of discounted loans, legal services, and credit services

Benefits of the American Federation of Musicians:

   •  Group Insurance specifically designed for AFM Members at affordable group rates. These insurance plans are underwritten by reputable insurance companies and include the following: a PPO and a Medical Savings Account (not available in all states), "All Risk" Musical Equipment Plan, Musicians' Liability Plan, Union Officials Liability, Term Life, Disability Income, Major Medical, Personal Accident, Short Term Major Medical, Catastrophe Major Medical, In-Hospital Income and Cancer Protection.

   •   AFL-CIO Union Privilege Program provides special loan, mortgage, credit, and legal services. They also provide discounts on car rentals and theme parks.

   •   Pension through the AFM Employers Pension Funds in the US and Canada

   •  Local job referral programs

   •  Wage protection if an employer fails to pay you or defaults on a contract

   •  Emergency assistance for traveling musicians

   •  Established minimum wages and working conditions on local-by-local basis

   •  Local and internationally negotiated agreements in many fields including studio and other recording, TV, films, jingles, concerts, stage shows, symphony, opera and ballet.

   •  International Musician, a monthly publication that includes "help wanted" and audition notices.

   •  Local jobs sponsored or co-sponsored by the Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Funds (MPTF) - unique funds negotiated by the AFM and supported by contributions from recording companies.

   •  Access to the Members-Only area of the AFM Website.

What you'll find Inside AFM.org:

   •  A complete list of AFM franchised booking agents is available.

   •  AFM organizing, education and legislative programs work to protect musicians' professional rights.

The Metropolitan Washington, DC Federation of Musicians, Local 161-710 is a 100-plus-year old labor organization representing over 2,000 local members. We act together to protect our mutual interests, to promote and conserve our craft, to agree on fair prices and conditions, and to enforce fair dealings in our profession. In short, we combine our strength to do whatever we can do better collectively than we can do individually.

There are serious problems facing modern musicians. Job security, economic exploitation, and a shortage of job opportunities are prominent issues that must be addressed. Collectively, musicians have a stronger voice in the workplace. The only way that musicians will achieve equality and gain respect from others in the entertainment industry is through unified communication and cooperation.

We are affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), the largest entertainment labor organization in the world, with nearly 120,000 members throughout the United States and Canada. Our local charter was issued on September 5, 1901, and we have been serving musicians continuously ever since.

We are a democratic, self-governing organization. Our regulations and policies are established at quarterly general meetings. We elect officers every three years to implement our directions and decisions. In addition, we elect five delegates to represent our interests at AFM conventions, at which international policies are determined. We are affiliated with the State and County Labor Councils of the AFL-CIO, giving us the powerful allies we need to deal with the major problems facing our profession

If you have any questions, contact our office at (202) 337-9325, or use our contact form.

Member Fees:

$	110.00	Local Initiation fee (one time only fee, if membership is maintained)
$	65.00	Federation Initiation fee (one time only fee, if not already an AFM member)
$	160.00	Annual Membership Dues - if paid in January
$	40.00	Quarterly Dues, per quarter

Work dues:

2 % of minimum scale

4.5 % for electronic media (recordings, public, network TV, motion pictures)