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Fringe Benefits...Emergency AssistanceFind yourself on the road, at a gig, and the contractor tells you he's canceled, leaving you stranded? Or pick up the check after the gig and find out it's for less than you had agreed upon? When away from home, the Federation has a 24-hour toll-free number where you can receive assistance. While in Local 655's jurisdiction, please call us first. Driver & TravelerFor $49.95 annually, your entire family can get free emergency roadside assistance, as well as free computerized trip routings, repair discounts, travel and rental car discounts, cash-back rebates, and more.
Union MortgageWhat do you get when you have low 5% down payments, 1/2% commission discount for sellers, $350 towards closing costs, Real estate agent referrals, over-the-phone applications, all at competitive rates? The Union Member Mortgage Program, of course! Ask us for more information. Credit UnionWe are affiliated with Musicians' Credit Union of Hollywood, CA. They offer savings and checking accounts, loans, ATM access, Direct Deposit, IRA's, etc. It costs $1 to join, the minimum opening deposit is only $25, and they offer rates like only credit unions can. 5% DiscountsThe following music stores offer a discount to AFM members:
Union Legal ServiceAre you about to buy a house? Did you just buy a "lemon"? Does a "former" friend still owe you money? Need some free legal advice? Are you interested in a free 30-minute consultation? And any time needed after the free 30 minutes is at a 30% discount. The lawyers in the program go through regular QC checks, so you can rest assured that quality lawyers are in the program. Remember: for contracts filed with the Local, any legal work will be handled by the Local at no additional cost to you! Musicians' Loan ProgramAFM Advantage has negotiated an affordable loan program that offers you a variety of borrowing options at a low cost. An unsecured personal loan or line of credit lets you borrow from $2,500 to $25,000 at a competitive, low rate. A home equity loan lets you borrow from $10,000 to $250,000. Because the home equity loan is secured by your home, low interest rates make your payments more affordable. Plus, for many borrowers, the interest paid on a home equity loan, or line of credit, is a tax-deductible expense, which further reduces the cost. (Please consult a tax advisor.) Both types of credit-unsecured and home equity-offer you the flexibility of choosing either a fixed-rate loan or a variable-rate line of credit. InternetThere's a lot of new and exciting information inside AFM.org and afm655.org. Over 30 forums where you can ask questions of other members or just talk shop; official publications, like our International Bylaws and convention proceedings; monthly orchestra audition ads as posted in the International Musician; a member search where you can find other AFM members; a complete listing of AFM staff with contact information; copies of local collective bargaining agreements; back issues of International Musician and South Florida Musician. Immigration AssistanceOn behalf of its members who accept gigs across the border, the Federation works with the governments of both countries to cut through the hassle of "red tape" usually associated with obtaining work visas in either location. This assistance is available for both US and Canadian musicians. Signatory Booking AgentsThe AFM has a list of franchised booking agents for the US and Canada. 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. Free SubscriptionsThe 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, labor news, as well as audition notices and help wanted ads. The South Florida Musician is the official publication of Local 655. It is published bimonthly and contains topics of local interest. Legislative RepresentationThe National Legislative Office in Washington, DC, is the center of AFM advocacy for legislation that benefits working musicians. It addresses a variety of issues including public funding for the arts; tax deductions, labor law, copyright and intellectual property laws; and safety in the workplace (OSHA). |
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