I am happy to provide you with the same information I have provided to HR Directors as well as to the may other employees who have written me directly.

 The State does not have a formal relationship with AFSCME.  Consequently, I have no control over that organization’s conduct.

1. While AFSCME is a partner in the formation of Colorado WINS, this mailing was apparently initiated by a State AFSCME chapter in cooperation with its national office.
2. Based one communication I received from AFSCME in D.C. this was a mistake on their part.  Recipients were not members (and presumably are not made so by this error).
3. The State does not release home addresses or phone numbers – not even if there is a Colorado Open Records Act request. (No such request has been made in the recent past, and the law protects such information.)
4. Organizations have available to them certain web data-mining devices which could have been used in these instances.  I don’t know how it was acquired.
5. No one can be made to join an organization involuntarily.
6. According to State statute, no one can have dues (or any other deduction) taken from his/her payroll without written permission (absent a court order).
7. Employees are free to express their feelings to AFSCME directly.  I believe that there is a name and phone number in the mailing.

 I am aware of the inconvenience and confusion that this mailing has generated.  I hope this helps dispel the misconceptions. 

 Thanks,

 Marty
 Martin E. Flahive
Governor’s Designee for Employee Partnerships
111 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-6329
Martin.Flahive@state.co.us

The question is still out there…How did they get our addresses?  Write them and demand answers…then let me know!