Do you want to grow your audience? Do you want to make more money? Do you want to protect your interests? We Can Help!
The Hamilton Musicians’ Guild is one of the fastest growing musicians’ locals in Canada.
Through the combined efforts of our members, Local 293 and the AFM are able to help musicians in over a dozen ways. At the highest levels, we have a strong voice in collective bargaining and government lobbying. As an HMG member, you have a voice in deciding your future.
Discover what other professional musicians are up to
The International Musician is the official journal of the AFM. Published monthly and sent to all members, this informative newspaper delivers articles of current interest to professional musicians, such as educational resources, labour news, as well as audition notices and help wanted ads. The International Musician is also available online, beginning the first of each month, in the private members area of the AFM website. Members may also search online through past issues in the International Musician archives.
Mailed to your home each month.
What if something happens to you and you can’t perform? Financial Help to Working Musicians
The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund was started by former AFM President James Petrillo in memory of his late son. It is a charitable trust fund that provides financial aid to AFM/CFM members who become unable to perform due to injury or ongoing health issue. This fund is not intended to replace health insurance or provide general loans but does supply modest amounts of assistance to qualified applicants on an emergency basis.
The Bob Pedler Memorial Fund is named for the late Bob Pedler, a popular musician and music store owner in Hamilton and a former member of the executive board of the Hamilton Musicians’ Guild. Bob is also the father of well-known Hamilton based drummer Jack Pedler (Teenage Head). The Petrillo Fund matches grants paid by the Petrillo Fund on a 50% basis.
The Petrillo Fund Trustees have complete discretion in determining eligibility and amount of the benefit, except that no benefits shall be paid to or on behalf of a person who is not physically or mentally disabled (as that term is defined by the Trustees) and who is not a member in good standing of the AFM/CFM.
Members will receive only one benefit check in any calendar year. However, applications may be submitted for assistance on behalf of members in subsequent years if needed.
What if something happens to your equipment?
Equipment Insurance:
Only you know the value of your instruments and equipment. Just think of the amount of money it would take to replace them. Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance is not enough to protect you from loss, theft, or damage on location. The AFM provides access to an “All-Risk” Musical Instrument and Equipment Insurance Plan. Your instruments and music-related equipment are protected from vandalism, breakage, water, fire, lightning, and theft up to the full replacement value. If you are employed full-time, freelance, work out of your home, or are self-employed, this insurance protects the large investment you’ve made in your equipment.
http://www.cfmusicians.org/services/instrument_insurance
https://www.hubinternational.com/en-CA/programs-associations/canadian-federation-of-musicians/
Click here for information on Insurance for professional musicians *NOTE: for AFM/CFM Members Only
Click here for Insurance Application form *NOTE: for AFM/CFMMembers only
This coverage is available only to AFM members.
For questions on the program or to submit your application please contact:
Hub InternationalCristina Omar
24 Seacliff Drive East, Unit 100
Leamington, ON N8H 0C2
Telephone: 519-325-1785
Fax: 519 966-6177
Toll Free: 1-800-463-4700 Ext. 1785
Email: Cristina.omar@hubinternational.com
What if something happens to someone else while you are performing?
Our Liability insurance provides up to $1,000,000 for each occurrence and up to $2,000,000 of aggregate coverage for lawsuits arising out of bodily injury and/or damage to property of others, occurring on or off premises during your performance. Also, since no two AFM members have the same needs, the AFM Insurance is designed to fit your unique specifications. This plan offers quality, economical insurance, made available to you through AFM group buying power.
Taking Care of Business – starts with taking care of yourself
Customizable health and dental plans are available to AFM members through Manulife Financial in collaboration with HUB International. In addition to health and dental benefits, all plans include coverage for vision care, accidental death and dismemberment, registered specialists, and much more.
What if you get sick while ‘on the road’?
When you are working or out of the Province where you reside, this policy cover all of your hospital and medical expenses by the “direct pay method.” The insurance company will pay directly to the hospital or doctor as opposed to you paying first, submitting the bill to the insurance and then being reimbursed. Coverage is on an annual basis, and although the maximum length per trip is 60 days, the number of trips per year is unlimited. This insurance coverage is available at a cost which is considerably less than policies issued by other travel health plans.
MPTF Scholarships
If you or a family member plan to attend university, scholarships from the Music Performance Trust Fund may be available to you:
Music Family Scholarship: 75 – $1,000 scholarships
Music Scholarship: 30 – $2,500 scholarships
For more information, please visit the MPTF website at https://musicpf.org/
Local and Federation sponsored booking/referral services:
Local 293 assists potential live music purchasers in the Hamilton area to find the right artist or group for their party, wedding, festival, corporate function or any other event that requires live music. In addition, the AFM provides an international on-line referral service called AFM Entertainment (free of charge to all members and potential purchasers) that is quickly becoming one of the largest Internet resources of its kind.
Signatory Booking Agents:
The AFM maintains a list of franchised booking agents for the US and Canada. It is also available in booklet form by contacting Local 293 or the AFM. These agents are signatories to the AFM’s Booking Agent Agreement which sets standards for legally enforceable contracts specifying negotiated fees, working conditions, and commissions.
Exclusive Member Services:
AFM GoPro Hosting – You need a professional website to support your professional image – we can help with that
P2 and Work Permit Assistance:
Want to play gigs in the US – we can save you thousands in lawyers fees. The AFM is an international union representing professional musicians in both the United States and Canada. On behalf of our members who accept gigs across the border, the Federation works with the US government to cut through the hassle of “red tape” usually associated with obtaining P2 work visas in either location. This assistance is available for both US and Canadian musicians. There are specialized Canadian and US forms, both formats conform to the laws of the individual countries, are easy to complete, and provide comprehensive legal protection for either single engagement or touring dates.
Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada:
The Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada is one of the largest pension funds in the entertainment industry. The Fund presently has assets in excess of $600 million. Every year, tens of millions of dollars are paid out to musicians who have made use of this benefit.
Fair Use, Fair Pay and Royalties:
International, national and local agreements covering all types of musical work ensure fair and timely payments as well as benefits and royalties (where applicable) for the reuse and new use of music recorded under these agreements.
Legal Contracts:
A signed AFM contract offers you protection for individual engagements, steady engagements, and traveling work. The AFM has a standard form contract that all members are entitled to use. It contains the AFM seal and, when properly filled out and filed with the Local, it allows the local office to help collect payments in the case of a default. Forms are available for download from the AFM’s and this website, or at the Local 293 office.
Claims on Default:
If you’ve played a gig under an AFM contract, and the event organizer doesn’t pay you according to your contract, the AFM will work to resolve the dispute between the parties administratively. Should this prove unsuccessful, the member/leader can authorize the Local and/or the AFM to pursue the claim through a variety of legal methods.
Legislative Representation:
The AFM is actively involved at the national, provincial and local levels, advocating and lobbying for legislation that benefits the lives of working musicians including public funding for the arts, “Status of the Artist”, special tax considerations for musicians, copyright, and intellectual property laws.
Save, save, save
Do you want to get big savings on your day to day spending – discounts on everything from Automotive services to Home Insurance to Travel Services. You’re just one click away. Get started by joining the HMG and creating a Union Savings account. Visit Union Savings today.