ABSTRACT
Talent unions work most efficiently when they service large groups of employees, such as symphony or recording musicians. These musicians can then fight for contracts that establish good working conditions, job protection, and reasonable wages. The first national organization formed to protect the rights of musicians was the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) founded in 1896 as a part of the American Federation of Labor. James Petrillo was president of the AFM from 1940 to 1958. He believed that records and jukeboxes were destroying employment opportunities for musicians. The AFM publishes a monthly magazine, The International Musician, which contains articles of interest to members. The AFM has specialized subgroups who have organized within the AFM framework. International Conference of Symphony Orchestra Members and Regional Orchestra Players Association represent the classical music musicians, while the Recording Musicians Association represents musicians who work on records, films, television shows, and commercials.
