Claims on Defaults In the event a purchaser defaults on payment to members for a traveling engagement, the AFM will work to resolve the dispute between the partiest administratively. Should this prove unsuccessful, the member/leader will be given the opportunitu to authorize the Federation to pursue the claim through a variety of legal methods. Legal Service Let the world's largest service advise you on legal matters. A staff of more than 1,100 union-friendly attorneys awats your call, with a gree 30-minute consultation in person or over the phone. These legal services include free document review, free follow-up letters or phone calls, no enrollment, and a 30% discount on additional services. Legal Contracts Local and international agreements are important for protecting your work. A signed AFM contract offers you protection for individual engagements, steady engagements, and traveling work. The AFM has a standard form contract that all members are entitled to use. It contains the AFM seal and when properly filled out and filed with the Local, it allows the local officer to help collect payments inthe case of a default. Forms are available for download from the afm.org website, or at your Local. Immigration Assistance The AFM is an international union representing professional musicians in both the United States and Canada. On behalf of its members who accept gigs across the border, the Federation works with the governments of both countries to cut through the hassle of "red tape" usually associated with obtaining work visas in either location. This assitance is availabe for both US and Canadian musicians. There are specialized Canadian and US forms, both formats conform to the laws of the individual countries and easy to cpmplete and provide comprehensive legal protection for either single engagement or touring dates. Signatory Booking Agents The AFM has a list of franchised booking agents for the US and Canada that can accessed at www.afm.org. It is also available in booklet form by contacting the AFM. These agents are signatories to the AFM's Booking Agent Agreement which sets standards for legally enforceable contracts specifying negotiated fees, working conditions, and commissions. Legislative Representation The National Legislative Office in Washington, DC, is the center of AFM advocacy for ligislation that benefits the lives of working musicians. It addresses a variety of issues including public funding for the arts; tax deductions, labor law, copyright and intellectual property laws; and safety in the workplace (OSHA). The National Legislative Office administers TEMPO, the AFM's nonpartisan, grassroots lobbying fund which is supported by voluntary contributions from members. TEMPO makes contributions to congressional candidates of either party who have a demonstrated record of support for professional musicians and the arts.