We Need a Union!
The AFM (American Federation of Musicians) claims to represent all musicians. In practice, it doesn’t. AFM contracts with the major film companies and labels (UMG, WMG, Sony) provide excellent benefits. But the AFM has never challenged those corporations to extend benefits to those who create the indie sound recordings or film scores they distribute; and have failed to organize indie labels distributed by indie distributors (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc).
As a result, we have been powerless to fight back as musicians’ rights and livelihoods have been decimated. Spotify’s .0038 cent starvation wage has become the industry standard, and a generation of musicians have lived and died without basic Union protection.
We’re now facing mass displacement and devaluation via generative AI.
The AFM could fight this when it renegotiates its contract with the major labels in 2026.
But the elites who control AFM recording negotiations don’t believe AI affects them. The AFM betrayed indie musicians in last year‘s negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
And unless we UNITE NOW to demand that the AFM fight for indie musician issues in the upcoming 2026 negotiations — we'll be betrayed again.
For further information, please see Frequently Asked Questions