The AFM-EPF (American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Fund) is a large, multi-employer pension fund where many of us have contributions sent on our behalf. It provides monthly retirement benefits for life to Participants whose work is covered by an AFM contract that requires such a contribution. Membership in the AFM alone does not […]
by Brad C. Eggen President Twin Cities Musicians Union, Local 30-73 Finance Committee Chair, The 103rd AFM Convention When over 70 people appeared to testify on one Bylaw recommendation before the Joint Law and Finance Committee, I realized we were in for an unusually exhausting Convention process. The core of the debate was the future […]
Theatre Musicians Association (TMA) Annual Conference, July 27-28 Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA) Annual Conference, July 28-30 Local 72-147 hosted two of the AFM’s major player conferences last July at the Courtyard Hilton in Downtown Dallas. The Theatre Musicians Association (TMA) Conference took place July 27-28, and the Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA) Conference took […]
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) held its 103rd International Convention from June 20-23. Under the theme “Two Countries, One Union,” The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada held its 103rd Convention in Ottawa, Canada, from June 20–23. Delegates from across the US and Canada gathered to […]
General Membership Meeting November 1, 2026 6 pm at the Union Offices Nominations for Officers to be Taken Local 72-147 bylaws provide for triennial (every three years) nomination and election of officers and convention delegates. Nominations will be taken for the following officers: President (and delegate to the 2029 AFM Convention) Vice President (and delegate to […]
This year Local 72-147 was pleased to participate as a community partner with the Denton Black Film Festival (DBFF) which ran from January 28 – Feb 1. On January 28 the festival held a screening of the first two episodes of Stax: Soulville USA which is currently streaming on the HBO Max platform. The screening […]
WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT CREATIVE RIGHTS IN A FAST CHANGING WORLD On December 11, the White House issued the following executive order: “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence”. This order states the current administration’s goal to remove barriers to the development of AI in the United States, but without indication of concern about the […]
WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT CREATIVE RIGHTS IN A FAST CHANGING WORLD On December 11, the White House issued the following executive order: “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence”. This order states the current administration’s goal to remove barriers to the development of AI in the United States, but without indication of concern about the […]
With a dizzying news cycle, it is almost impossible to keep up with the daily changes, let alone how many of these developments affect professional musicians directly. Reprinted with permission from the August issue of The International Musician, AFM Symphonic Services Division Director Rochelle Skolnick explains how symphonic musicians have been affected by the wave […]
Last November I wrote an election column in support of the AFM’s political endorsements. I limited my remarks to how Labor and our musicians’ local would be affected by either outcome in the elections. Looking back, I wish I had said more. Even with only those issues to consider it was a stark choice for […]
On March 27, in the middle of the night, the Trump administration issued an Executive Order that shows very clearly that they intend to destroy the labor movement in the US. The order strips the right to organize from hundreds of thousands of federal workers at more than thirty agencies. This is the most blatant […]