When asked by a client to perform for less than the pay scale set by the Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM), professional musicians are in violation of the bylaws of the union if they accept the offered below-scale payment:
Playing for wages that are below scale is a violation of Section VIII, I #2 of the CFM Bylaws and Article 13, Section 18 (a) of the AFM Bylaws. Charges can be brought against a member for paying less than scale and also agreeing to perform for wages that are less than scale.
If you would like to know how much to pay, you may contact the CFM for assistance, here. Please know that every effort will be made to accommodate an event’s budget except if it violates the above. Thank you for understanding and most of all, thank you for supporting professional musicians!