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Joining the Chicago Federation of Musicians is an easy process. Requirements for new members are:
2025 Joining Fees
Joining Fees are the pro-rated annual membership dues for 2025 and a $265.00 initiation fee.
The initiation fee consists of $200.00 CFM fee plus a $65.00 AFM fee.
| Month | Pro-Rated Dues | Initiation Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | $224.00 | $265.00 | $489.00 |
| February | $205.00 | $265.00 | $470.00 |
| March | $187.00 | $265.00 | $452.00 |
| April | $168.00 | $265.00 | $433.00 |
| May | $149.00 | $265.00 | $414.00 |
| June | $131.00 | $265.00 | $396.00 |
| July | $112.00 | $265.00 | $377.00 |
| August | $93.00 | $265.00 | $358.00 |
| September | $75.00 | $265.00 | $340.00 |
| October | $56.00 | $265.00 | $321.00 |
| November | $37.00 | $265.00 | $302.00 |
| December | $224.00 | $265.00 | $489.00 |
Wage Scales:
Members participate in the establishment of minimum wage scales and working conditions for various types of musical employment. Union contracts require compliance with these scales and insure that musicians and their performances are not exploited.
Pre-Printed, Legal Contracts:
Contracts suitable for all types of engagements are available free of charge. These easy-to-use contracts contain appropriate language for the resolution of disputes and provide protection for both musician and purchaser. When properly signed and filed, they are enforced by the union and its attorneys. These contracts allow pension contributions to be made for each listed musician.
Locally Negotiated CBAs/Collective Bargaining Agreements:
Local 10-208 currently has agreements with many employers in the Chicagoland Area including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Grant Park Symphony, the Joffrey Ballet, as well major theaters in the downtown theater district and area regional theatres.
Multi-Employer-Paid Pension Fund:
Employer paid contributions to the American Federation of Musicians - Employers Pension Fund are a part of most Local 10-208 contracts. Vesting requires contributions on $3,000 of earned wages in each of 5 consecutive years.
Canadian Cultural Exchange:
The American Federation of Musicians will act as your sponsor for engagements in Canada. Forms are available at the Local 10-208 office and must be completed at least 30 days prior to the performance.
Emergency Traveling Musician Assistance:
The American Federation of Musicians offers assistance to traveling members through their toll-free number 1-800-ROADGIG. If you have filed the proper union contracts and are then stiffed by a club owner on the road, help is only a phone call away.
Online Musician Referral Service (GO PRO Musician Source):
Register yourself and/or your group with this online referral service. You can upload sound files, text and link to your home page if you have one.
Professional Publications:
All members receive the AFM International Musician and the Local 10-208 Intermezzo. These publications keep you on top of all union business, job openings, auditions, events, and articles of interest to musicians.
AFM Website:
The American Federation of Musicians, afm.org, offers downloadable contracts/scales, articles and many other resources.
Personal Page on Local 10-208 Website:
cfm10208.com includes Local 10-208 events, music links, and archives. The site keeps you up to speed with things of importance to local musicians. You can also upload a picture and bio to a page on this site, which links to your personal website and social media accounts, leveraging our SEO as an organization to drive more interest in your music.
Liability Insurance:
Liability protection is available to members in good standing through the CFM Liability Insurance Plan. Protect yourself and your band. Someone trips over a cord and wants to sue? You're covered.
National Coalition of Labor benefits:
The National Coalition of Labor is a 501(c)(5) non-profit organization that was created to help unions pool cooperatively to purchase top-tier benefits for their members at the lowest cost possible. Benefits include liability insurance, life insurance, roadside assistance, and low and no cost tax, legal, and financial services. For more information, please view our special CFM benefits booklet here.
