Are you thinking of joining a musician union in Los Angeles?

There are a few unions in LA that offer a range of benefits and resources depending on the type of music you play or work you do.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular unions in the area and what they have to offer.

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🤔 Considerations Before Joining a Union

Before joining any union, make sure it aligns with your values and goals as a musician.

For example, joining SAG-AFTRA as a film composer may not make as much sense as joining the Professional Musicians Local 47, AFM as a violinist in the LA Phil.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind before joining a music union:

• Consider what kind of gigs you want to play and what instrument you play.
• The value of joining depends on what you are doing: if you're a singer-songwriter playing only a few gigs a month, it's probably not worth your time. However, if you're trying out for symphonies, then it's worth considering.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before joining a union, ask yourself these questions:

• Are prominent musicians in your market all part of a particular union? Do they only hire or work with other union musicians?
• Will you audition for organizations that require union membership?
• Will you seek corporate gigs that require union membership?
• Do the benefits and resources offered by the union align with your values and goals as a musician?

Joining a union does not guarantee work, but it may build your network.

🟦 American Federation of Musicians, Local 47

One of the most well-known unions in LA is the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47.

This union represents over 7,000 musicians in the Los Angeles area and offers a range of benefits, including health insurance, pension plans, and access to legal representation.

Additionally, the union offers workshops and training sessions to help members improve their skills and connect with other musicians.

Benefits of Joining the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47

• Represents over 7,000 musicians in the Los Angeles area
• Access to health insurance, pension plans, and legal representation
• Discounted rehearsal studio space
• Workshops and training sessions to help members improve their skills and connect with other musicians
• Range of discounts and benefits through the Union Plus program
• Job board with current gig listings for members

A union like Local 47 can help you take your music career to the next level by providing access to health insurance, legal representation, networking opportunities, and job listings.

This way, you can focus on your craft.

Fairer Streaming Royalties (AFM 47 Initiative)

One example of the types of things Local 47 union can help musicians with is advocating for fair residuals for musicians who work on film and TV shows.

As streaming shows represent an increasingly large percentage of all film and TV wages, musicians are finding it difficult to make ends meet without meaningful residuals for their work.

The union works to support its members by growing the Pension Fund through recording musicians' film/TV residuals, which contribute unallocated dollars to all vested AFM musicians.

This support is made possible by work dues and membership dues from the players in this field, which go toward supporting the Local, rehearsal rooms, staff, membership department, and other important parts of the union.

🕺 SAG-AFTRA

Another union to consider is SAG-AFTRA, which represents actors, broadcasters, and recording artists.

Membership benefits include access to casting calls, networking events, and health insurance. SAG-AFTRA also offers courses and workshops to help members improve their craft and advance their careers.

Benefits of Joining SAG-AFTRA for Musicians

Health and Financial Security

• Members earn credits toward retirement and health care each time they work
• SAG-AFTRA provides health insurance benefits to its members, including recording artists
• The union also offers pension plans and access to legal representation, which can provide financial security and peace of mind for musicians and composers

Resources for Career Advancement

• SAG-AFTRA negotiates wages and working conditions in order to maintain minimum standards for its members
• Offers access to casting calls, networking events, and job listings
• Offers courses and workshops to help members improve their craft and advance their careers

Discounts and Special Deals

• SAG-AFTRA members are eligible for outstanding deals on entertainment, car rentals, insurance, medical visits, prescriptions, real estate, legal services and more
• Members can purchase discounted movie tickets to various public theatres

Involvement and Representation

• SAG-AFTRA is a representative democracy run by members for the benefit of members
• Encourages members to actively participate in SAG-AFTRA governance by voting on referenda, joining committees or serving on the National Board, a Local Board, or as a Convention Delegate
• Advocates for the rights of musicians and the importance of fair compensation

AFM and SAG-AFTRA Collaborations

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) and SAG-AFTRA have a fund that pays session musicians and vocalists for their music when it is played on streaming services like Pandora and Sirius XM.

The fund also pays non-featured artists in the United States for music played in other countries.

In 2022, the fund paid out a record-breaking $62 million to over 42,000 musicians and vocalists in all 50 states, Canada, and many other countries. The average payment to studio musicians and singers was about $1,500.

🎼 American Guild of Musical Artists

If you're a classical musician, you may want to consider joining the American Guild of Musical Artists.

This union represents opera singers, dancers, and stage managers, as well as classical musicians.

AGMA offers benefits such as health insurance, pension plans, and access to legal representation. Additionally, the union provides resources like job listings and audition opportunities.

FAQs About LA’s Music Unions

What does a musicians’ union do?

Musicians' unions aim to maximize their members' employment and overall income, while also protecting and improving their working conditions. The unions offer advice, support, and legal assistance tailored to the individual needs of each member.

What music unions are in Los Angeles?

There are three main unions representing musicians in Los Angeles: the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47; SAG-AFTRA; and the American Guild of Musical Artists. Each union offers a range of benefits, such as health insurance, pension plans, access to legal representation, workshops and training sessions, and job listings.

• The American Federation of Musicians, Local 47 is a union for musicians of all genres and instruments. It’s the most broad music union in LA.
• SAG-AFTRA represents actors, broadcasters, and recording artists. It’s primarily used by artists who are on television or featured in broadcasts.
• The American Guild of Musical Artists is a union that represents opera singers, dancers, and stage managers, as well as classical musicians.