Benefits
WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THE GMMQ?
Being a member of the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec confirms your status as a professional musician. By becoming a member, you join some 3,300 musicians from Quebec and over 250,000 professionals worldwide.
In addition, GMMQ members enjoy many benefits including:
• Registration to the Guild's Directory
The directory (in print and online) contains a list of all GMMQ members in good standing. The online version of the directory allows producers to search for a musician according to several criteria, including by musical instrument, music style, or administrative region. The online directory offers musicians a page where they can update their profile by adding a photograph, a short description, and sound clips. Members also have access to a 24-hour telephone service to find the contact info of other musicians.
• Work Visa for the United States
In collaboration with the AFM, the GMMQ facilitates P2 work visa requests (the visa required to perform in the USA).
For more information, please consult the Instructions and Application Form.
• List of auditions across the country
The Guild regularly distributes to its members a list of orchestra auditions to be held in Quebec, so that interested parties can participate. Also, a list of auditions across Canada is available for consultation at the GMMQ's office and on its website.
• Music Performance Fund
Founded in 1948 by then-AFM President James Petrillo, the MPF was created in response to an agreement between the US sound recording industry and the AFM. Aimed at the public presentation of free concerts and shows, the MPF allows many musicians to perform under the working conditions recommended by the GMMQ.
IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS
• Negotiation and implementation of collective agreements
Under the certificates of acknowledgement and accreditation obtained from administrative tribunals, the GMMQ is empowered to represent the musicians it serves when negotiating collective agreements with producers, and to ensure that signed agreements are respected. The Guild also provides support in cases of conflict and advises affected members on negotiation, leverage, and action strategies. In the past, the GMMQ and the AFM have negotiated collective agreements with Société Radio-Canada, Télé-Québec, TVA, ADISQ, and most symphony orchestras operating in Quebec.
• Musicians' Pension Fund of Canada
Musicians who give a musical performance under a contract duly recorded with the GMMQ can be eligible for retirement benefits. Producers pay for each musician a contribution that varies from 7% to 12% of the fees stipulated in collective agreements or the applicable fee schedule. This contribution is paid directly to the Musicians' Pension Fund of Canada, which currently manages assets in excess of $600 million.
• Establishment of minimum standards
The GMMQ publishes a fee schedule for the on-stage and ambiant music services of professional musicians in Quebec. This schedule is set by the Board of Directors, according to position, music genre, and type of engagement. This schedule serves as reference for any contract signed by a member, wherever there is no Guild's collective agreements.
• Legal protection in case of dispute
The GMMQ provides its members with various standard contracts that must be completed by the producer and orchestra conductor, then registered at the GMMQ's office before each engagement. Should a dispute (non-payment, undue delay, non-compliance with a clause by either party, etc.) regarding the application of a duly registered contract arise, the GMMQ is committed to do everything in its power to ensure that the issue is solved in accordance with the terms stipulated in the contract. Where appropriate, the GMMQ assumes the legal representation of the musician or musicians involved, to the extent where they have fulfilled their contractual obligations. Furthermore, our legal department supports members whose rights have been infringed in relation to a Guild's employment contract or Guild's collective agreement as professional musicians, and advises them on work relations issues with producers.
• Special Payments Fund
In addition to the payment of fees for a phonogram recording session, the AFM's Sound Recording Labor Agreement provides for the payment of royalties to any musician who participated in an engagement under this agreement. These royalties are paid annually by check in U.S. dollars, and the amount varies depending on the number of recording sessions the musician has attended.
RELATED SERVICES
• Instrument insurance and general insurance
Musicians can have a hard time getting their musical instruments insured. For several years now, various insurances companies, like Centre d'assurances Meilleur and Hub Insurances, have been offering comprehensive insurance covering equipment and musical instruments to GMMQ members at a very reasonable cost.
• Member discounts
The GMMQ negotiates preferential rates with various suppliers so that its members can enjoy benefits on services such as car rental, accommodation, rehearsal/recording studio rental, sheet music, educational materials, and health care.
REPRESENT THE MUSICIANS
To fulfill its mission, the GMMQ takes an active part in debates on culture industry-related issues. It is often called upon to take a position with its partners from the arts community in all matters affecting musicians.
• Lobbying
The GMMQ is entered in the Register of Lobbyists. The association lobbies with government agencies and ministers to represent the interests of its musicians. It actively fights for better working conditions and tax policies for musicians, and to improve their social safety net.
• Association
The GMMQ is a democratic body that gives its members the right to influence their association and its representatives. General assemblies and board meetings are held regularly so that members can determine the orientation and evolution of the GMMQ. It facilitates the involvement of its members in various committees, especially when negotiating collective agreements. Members are also asked to vote on the signing of such agreements.
• AFM Affiliation
Through this affiliation that has lasted for nearly a hundred years, musicians of Quebec can harness the power of the largest entertainment union in the world. International agreements (between Canada and the USA) protect musicians from Quebec against the illegal distribution of their records and provide payment for their use or reuse around the world. The Canadian office of the AFM is responsible for the negotiation of Canadian-scale agreements and offers assistance to locals when necessary.
INFORM MUSICIANS
• Monthly newsletter
The GMMQ distributes a monthly newsletter containing relevant information, such as auditions, training sessions, grants, and political news affecting the economic and social reality of musicians.
• Free subscription to Entracte
Entracte is the official magazine of the GMMQ. Its goals are to inform, raise awareness, and even mobilize if necessary, and it is a vehicle for ideas, a platform for claims, and an all-around important information tool distributed free to all members of the GMMQ.
Consult the last publications of Entracte.
• Free subscription to International Musician
The official journal of the AFM, International Musician, is distributed free to all members of the GMMQ. This monthly publication covers topics of interest to the professional musician in various fields, including labor relations, music training resources, music products marketing, career management, job offers, and musical instruments for-sale ads. In addition, International Musician is available online exclusive to members of local sections of the AFM.
