Keeping Our Local Strong in Hard Times

Our Union Sticking Together in the Pandemic: The Local Needs Your Support. Pay Dues if you Can — Call us if you Need Help.

I wanted you to know that your officers and board have been working very hard throughout this pandemic to help find sources of aid for our members, for instance by establishing our DFW Musicians COVID-19 Relief Fund. Through the sponsorship of Music Performance Trust Fund, we have been working on setting up safe, socially-distanced live streamed gigs in Dallas at Klyde Warren Park and in Denton at Steve’s Wine Bar, and are working on some other venues around the area to help replace lost work due to the Pandemic.

For our symphonic musicians, we have been working on extensions of our Collective Bargaining Agreements, and the AFM has worked out a COVID side letter to the Integrated Media Agreement, allowing our employers some free streaming based on how much they are compensating their employees. We are also working on safety protocols with all of our employers. The Dallas and Fort Worth Symphonies in particular are both gaining well deserved national attention for their efforts to perform in front of audiences in safety.

The pandemic has taken its financial toll on the union operations as well. When our members are not working, the Local’s income is reduced as well. With more work to do than ever, we have had to cut expenses in many areas, including cuts for the officers and staff. You may remember that in April our board decided to delay dues payment deadlines and waive late fees and reinstatement fees. It was important that we not suspend members as a result of the Pandemic. This means that we have continued to transmit quarterly dues payments on behalf of all members to the AFM in New York whether or not we actually had those dues from members. We wanted to do this for as long as we could, as we wanted all of our members to have access to union benefits during this time.

Unfortunately, the final deadline of October 1 is upon us. If you have not yet paid your 2020 dues, we ask that if you are able, to please consider paying them as soon as you can. There will be no late fee or reinstatement charged. You can send a check to the office made out to AFM Local 72-147 and addressed to my attention at 1939 Stadium Oaks Court, Suite 110, Arlington TX 76011. Alternatively, you can go to our website and pay with a credit card. There is a 3.5% processing fee added for credit card payments. If you are unsure about when you are paid through, or what amount you owe, please call the office at 817-469-6040 or email me at apino@musiciansdfw.org.

If you are not able to pay dues at this time,
please reach out to us.

We will not charge any late or reinstatement fees when you are able to get back in, and if you are in need of assistance, you may be eligible to apply to the DFW Musicians COVID Relief Fund. It is more important now than ever before for musicians to stick together and help each other out. That’s what the union is all about. Please help us help you and all your fellow musicians!