A.F.M. CONTRACTS - All forms of musical employment in the A.F.M. are covered by some form of A.F.M. contract. If you are working for an employer with whom the A.F.M. has a collective bargaining agreement already in place, (e.g. a major studio or record company, symphony orchestra, the C.B.C., TV Ontario, Much Music) the terms and conditions of employment are spelled out in that agreement. However, since most musicians are self-employed, and work for many different employers, we set up minimum guidelines for this free-lance employment as well. Every member of a local is provided with a Directory, Bylaws and Tariff of Fees. These list such things as minimum wages for various types of engagements, guidelines for contractors (members responsible for hiring groups of musicians), and rules of conduct for working musicians. These conditions are set by the membership every year at General Membership meetings. All musicians in the local are expected to use the local's guidelines when negotiating with purchasers of musical services. To further assist the free-lance musician, the Local also provides legal contract forms for use on such engagements. Most of the Local's services depend on a signed contract between purchaser and musician. In the event of a contract default, the Local will endeavour to collect on behalf of the musician, paying all legal and court costs, if necessary.

PENSION (THE A.F.M.-E.P.W. FUND) - In addition to legal protection, the A.F.M. contract allows provision for employer pension contribution as well. In Canada, the A.F.M. has a private pension plan for members called the A.F.M. & Employers' Pension Welfare Fund (E.P.W.). Through the E.P.W. plan, a percentage of scale wages is contributed by the employer/purchaser directly into your pension. Even if you are a free-lance musician, you can still accrue pension benefits. Almost all collective agreements in Canada have pension clauses in them as well, so no matter where you work, the E.P.W. plan can work for you.

REFERRAL SERVICE/BOOKING AGENTS - Local 247 has a referral service, which provides purchasers with member leaders' and musicians' names and phone numbers. Prospective purchasers from Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, as well as from Vancouver, across Canada and in the U.S.A. call looking for musicians for hotel lounges, conventions, dances, weddings and receptions. To be included on the referral list members fill out a one page referral questionnaire. The A.F.M. also has guidelines for Booking Agents that govern their use of A.F.M. members. Two signatory agents are currently in our local.

THE RECORDING INDUSTRIES MUSIC PERFORMANCE TRUST FUND (M.P.T.F.) - As part of an agreement between the A.F.M. and the recording industry, money from the sale of recordings goes into this fund to co-sponsor free live public concerts in parks, squares, schools, and senior care centres. In our local the City of Victoria is our largest co-sponsor with a summer concert series.

INSTRUMENT INSURANCE - In Canada, we are fortunate to have a group plan with The Unity Group which gives worldwide, comprehensive coverage for all your musical equipment at rates below commercially available policies. You can also purchase liability insurance. Contact the Local office for current details.

EMERGENCY TRAVELLING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (E.T.A.P.) - With A.F.M. contracts in place, you are protected on the road anywhere in Canada or the U.S. If you have an engagement that takes you hundreds of miles from home, and suddenly the purchaser cancels without due notice, fails to pay you your contracted amount, or in any way fails to fulfil the terms of your contract, help is a phone call away. Under the E.T.A.P. program, the A.F.M. will wire you money to assist you in getting home if you are stranded. Then the local in whose jurisdiction the default took place will attempt to collect from the purchaser on your behalf, with the assistance of the A.F.M. When the A.F.M. is successful in collecting your claim, the amount originally forwarded to you under the E.T.A.P. program will simply be deducted from the amount you are awarded in the suit. If the claim is lost for one reason or another (bankruptcy, e.g.) then the E.T.A.P. money will be considered a forgiven loan.

WORKING IN THE U.S. - If you work in the U.S.A. you can take advantage of a work permit program (the P-2 visa). With signed contracts you can, through the AFM and our Local, apply for a temporary work permit for your engagements. The P-2 work permit is the least expensive way to work in the U.S.

SPECIAL PAYMENTS - This fund is created by contributions from all A.F.M. film and record producers. Every year the fund is divided amongst A.F.M. members who have played in these sessions, according to the number of sessions worked. The greater the number of sessions, the more money received as long as A.F.M. contracts were in place.

A COLLECTIVE VOICE - It is only through the combined efforts of members that the A.F.M. is able to better the position of musicians in our society. As a collective unit we not only have a strong voice in collective bargaining and government lobbying, but anywhere that musicians work. As a member, you will have a voice in deciding our collective future.

Live Music is Best!

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