I agree. My dad joined the AF of M in the 30's when the band would play for comission. I refused to pay for membership so for 20 years he payed it for me. Our lead sax player was the local president, my dad a sax player was a trustee and our trumpet player was secretary. My dad died about 9 years ago and so did my membership. Our "president" sax player (a life member) and secretary (also a life member) dropped out about 5 years ago. The Muskegon MI local merged or was absorbed by the Grand Rapids local.

For a while we played some of the trust fund jobs. I heard that some of the nursing home jobs in the Grand Rapids area were funded by the Recording Trust Fund.

I had always heard that Union membership in the large cities with big locals had advantages. You could buy medical insurance at group rates, equipment insurance and life insurance. The union will represent you in court with a lawyer if neccessary over a contract dispute especially if you use their blank contract form.

I'm surprised to learn that the union is as usless in the big cities as it was here.