Human Made, Human Paid is an advocacy campaign organized by the AFM to safeguard professional musicians and preserve human artistry against AI exploitation. Launched in response to the major record labels’ position during SRLA bargaining and their withholding of AI licensing revenues, this initiative unites musicians worldwide to defend creators’ rights. The campaign sets three core principles for any use of musicians' work in AI training or output generation: consent, credit, and compensation. “The record labels cannot pocket profits built on the backs of human artistry while cutting working musicians out of the equation,” says Tino Gagliardi, International President of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. “Human Made, Human Paid is about consent, credit, and compensation. The AFM will not stand by and allow tech deals to bypass the very artists who made those music catalogs valuable in the first place.” Through the “Human Made, Human Paid” campaign, the AFM is rallying professional musicians and advocates to demand fair standards, transparency, and protective measures against unauthorized AI music generation and catalog exploitation. Take a stand against the unfair exploitation of musicians’ work by signing the petition at: HumanMadeHumanPaid.com.

It’s time for every artist to be paid for their work played on AM/FM radio. Pass the American Music Fairness Act.

Thousands of AFM musicians orchestrate, prepare, and perform the musical scores for film, television, and streaming projects. It is time for our government to allow us to compete for jobs in a global industry. A federal tax incentive is necessary to keep jobs in the United States and grow the sector. We are proud to be in coalition with a broad range of labor unions and other stakeholders to support the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act (MPTERA). Led by Senators Scott (R-SC) and Schiff (D-CA) and Representatives Moran (R-TX), Sanchez (D-CA), Jack (R-GA), and Friedman (D-CA), this proposal has support from Democrats and Republicans in the US House and Senate. NOW is the time for Congress to hear from you. Please take a moment to lend your voice in support. Click to send a letter: actionnetwork.org/letters/te…

The American Federation of Musicians is proud to join the newly launched U.S. Film and Television Production Coalition. "The AFM will always support policies that put creative professionals to work. More production in the United States means more job opportunities for musicians. At the movies and in our homes, AFM members bring stories to life. The work of film and television scoring musicians is an essential part of the creative economy in this country. The AFM fully supports a federal tax incentive that will put artists and arts workers back on the job in the United States," states AFM International President Tino Gagliardi.

The AFM fully supports the musicians of the @sfoperamusicians and pledges the resources necessary to support @afmLocal6. These musicians are world-class professionals who provide the foundation for the company's productions. Asking the musicians to absorb pay cuts or endure a five-year wage freeze while living in one of the costliest US urban areas undermines the orchestra and the institution itself. Musicians cannot counter the cost of living on prestige alone. A five-year wage freeze is a pay cut when adjusted for inflation. If management continues on this path, they will lose talent and damage the San Francisco Opera's artistic quality and its reputation. Management's claims of an unsustainable deficit conflict with the company's donor base, recent financial support, and strong ticket sales. It is contradictory for San Francisco Opera leadership to demand sacrifices from musicians while executive compensation grows. We are deeply grateful to our @AGMusicalArtist and @IATSE siblings for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us in this fight. Our musicians want to perform, but they require a fair contract. We urge General Director Matthew Shilvock and the Board of Directors to return to the bargaining table immediately with a contract that respects the value these musicians bring to the community. #FairContractNow #StandWithSFOOrchestra #AGMA #IATSE #AFM #UnionPower

The American Federation of Musicians is encouraged to see the Trump Administration’s support of a federal film and television tax incentive. We will always support policies that put creative professionals to work. More production in the United States means more job opportunities for our musicians. At the movies and in our homes, AFM members bring stories to life. The work of AFM film and television scoring musicians is an essential part of the creative economy in this country. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to help make this idea a reality. The AFM fully supports a federal tax incentive that will put artists and arts workers back on the job in the United States. – Tino Gagliardi, AFM International President

AFM Statement on the Passing of Dolly Parton: “Before she was an icon, Dolly was a working musician,” says Tino Gagliardi, AFM - American Federation of Musicians International President. “Dolly never forgot the musicians who helped bring her music to life. By standing firm for solidarity and treating every player with dignity, she elevated our entire profession.” “Throughout her 58 years as a proud member in good standing of Local 257, Nashville Musicians Association, she set the gold standard for supporting her band and fellow musicians. Dolly and her team consistently filed AFM union contracts for gigs, sessions, and tours, ensuring that the bands, singers, and studio musicians working alongside her received the benefits of union membership,” says Dave Pomeroy, President Local 257. Read the full statement at: afm.org/2026/08/passing-of-d…

Proposed Brass Instrument Tariffs Follow Conn Selmer Plant Closure -- The Department of Commerce has published a request for comment regarding imposing tariffs on “brass-wind instruments and their parts and accessories” along with other steel, aluminum, and copper products. This proposal is the direct result of Conn Selmer closing its Eastlake, Ohio, instrument manufacturing facility. “For decades, corporations have chased maximum profit margins overseas. They have weakened domestic production and passed costs on to consumers. It’s time to bring high-quality instrument manufacturing back to the United States—investing in American workers, supporting union jobs, and building reliable supply chains to keep prices down,” says AFM International President Tino Gagliardi. Full statement at: afm.org/2026/08/proposed-bra…

Protect Working Musicians Act Forum Webinar with @RepDeborahRoss, Thurs. August 6th. Learn more: afm.org/2026/07/protect-work… Registration link: link.a2im.org/ourseatattheta… #ProtectWorkingMusiciansAct #FairPayForMusicians

Happy Canada Day. Our Canadian offices will be closed today.

The AFM wrapped up its 103rd International Convention today. Under the theme “Two Countries, One Union,” the 103rd Convention, Delegates from across the US and Canada gathered to strengthen cross-border solidarity, vote on the union’s future, and elect leadership for the next three years. afm.org/2026/06/afm-wraps-10… #1MusicUnion #UnionStrong #SolidarityForever #TwoCountriesOneUnion #AFM103rdConvention #AFM2026 #UnionSolidarity