• Professional Publications: International Musician, Musical News
• AFM Website
• Local 6 Website
• Low Cost Instrument/Equipment and Liability Insurance
• Low Cost Liability Insurance
• Union Plus Programs
• Group Health Insurance (self-pay)
• Death Benefit Insurance
• Free Legal Consultation
• Credit Union
• Wage Scales
• Pre-printed, Legal Contracts
• Locally Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements
• AFM Negotiated Electronic Media Agreements
• Contract Guarantee Fund
• Multi-Employer-Paid Pension Fund
• Canadian Cultural Exchange
• Emergency Traveling Musician Assistance
• Membership Directory
• Rehearsal Room
• Local 6 / Patrick Simms Recording Studio
• Career Advice
• Workshops/Clinics
• Online Musician Referral Service (PRO Musician Source)

Professional Publications: All members receive the AFM International Musician and the Local 6 Musical News. These keep you abreast of union business, job openings, auditions, events, and articles of interest to musicians.

AFM and Local 6 Website: afm.org offers downloadable contracts/scales, articles and other resources. The Local 6 website, www.afm6.org, includes Local 6 events, music links, archives, our Hire Musicians page, and a CD Store.

Low Cost Instrument/Equipment & Liability Insurance: Replacement cost insurance covering instruments and related equipment for theft and damage at home, at work and on the road is available at a very reasonable rate. Up to $2 million in liability protection is available to members through the AFM Liability Insurance Plan.

Union Plus Programs: Union Plus was created by the AFL-CIO to bring union members and their families high quality consumer benefits and services. Programs include Union Plus MasterCard, Loan, Mortgage, Legal Services, and Health Needs. Check out www.unionplus.org for the latest info.

Group Health Insurance (self-pay): Through an arrangement with French Cormany Insurance Services, Inc of Irvine, California, Local 6 is able to offer self-pay, group health insurance to its members. This group health plan is not intended for members 65 and older. Members interested in obtaining rates on medigap insurance should contact the local, and we will put them directly in touch with our broker. The available plans are through Kaiser (HMO) and HealthNet (both HMO and PPO). All of the plans offer guaranteed acceptance and coverage for pre-existing conditions. For more information and applications, visit www.afm6.org/GroupHealthInsurance.

Death Benefit Insurance: All Local 6 members in good standing have $2000 of life insurance through the union's policy.

Free Legal Consultation: Local 6 retains legal counsel to advise us and intervene when necessary regarding employee/employer matters and the general area of labor law. A free consultation for a non-union matter is also available to members.  Requests for all such advice must be made to the Local President or Secretary - Treasurer.  For matters regarding entertainment law and copyright law, members should directly consult attorneys who specialize in those fields.

In addition, the following legal benefit is available through Union Plus:

• A free initial consultation with a lawyer of up to 30 minutes (in person or over the phone)
• A free simple document review and explanation
• A free follow-up letter or phone call, if likely to resolve a legal matter
• Most additional services are discounted by 30% (including attorney's hourly rates and flat fees for most common legal cases)

Credit Union: Members may join Sea West Federal Credit Union in Oakland, or Musicians’ Credit Union in Los Angeles, both of which provide a variety of banking services and offerloans at very competitive rates.

Wage Scales: Members participate in the establishment of minimum wage scales and working conditions for all types of musical employment. Union contracts require compliance with these scales and insure that musicians 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 musicians and purchaser. When properly signed and filed, they are enforced by the union and its attorneys.

Locally Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements: Local 6 currently has agreements with more than 40 employers in the Bay Area including the SF Symphony, Opera, Ballet, and major theaters in town.

AFM Negotiated Electronic Media Agreements: The AFM negotiates agreements for all electronic media employment which include reuse and new use payments, pension, and health and welfare benefits.

Contract Guarantee Fund: The union will pay Local 6 musicians unpaid scale wages for engagements performed in our jurisdiction if a proper contract is filed with the Local prior to the engagement.

Multi-Employer-Paid Pension Fund: Employer paid contributions to the American Federation of Musicians - Employers Pension Fund are a part of most Local 6 contracts. Vesting requires contributions on $3,000 of earned wages in each of 5 consecutive years.

Canadian Cultural Exchange: The AFM will act as your sponsor for engagements in Canada. Forms are available at the Local 6 office and must be completed at least 30 days prior to the performance.

Emergency Traveling Musician Assistance:The AFM offers assistance to traveling members through their 1-800-ROADGIG number. 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.

Membership Directory: A directory of all members, including address, phone, e-mail, and instruments played. Also includes our Local 6 bylaws, scale info, instructions on how to fill out a contract, a music industry quick reference guide, and local advertisers.

Rehearsal Room: Members may use the Local 6 rehearsal room at a very nominal cost. The room is equipped with a piano, drum kit, chairs and music stands. Check out the Rehearsal Room page.

Local 6 / Patrick Simms Recording Studio: Great sounding room for demos or full productions. Engineer included. Call for details. Check out the Recording Studio page.

Career Advice: Members can make an appointment to meet with a staff representative to get helpful career advice, including information on putting together promotional materials.

Workshops/Clinics: Local 6 hosts clinics and music business workshops that are free for members and usually $10 for the general public. Check out the events page.

Online Musician Referral Service (PRO Musician Source): Register yourself and/or your group with our online referral service. Just send in your content and we can create a web page for you. Check out the Hire Musicians Page.