Topeka ? The largest public employee union in Kansas on Monday accused management at two major state agencies of intimidating workers to keep from joining the union or speaking to its members.

“Employees are constantly in fear of losing their jobs or not being promoted if they join or participate in the union,” said Betty Vines, president of the Kansas Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 20,000 employees. “These practices cannot continue.”

Joan Wagnon, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, said she planned to investigate KAPE’s allegation concerning the revenue agency, and she has invited Vines to speak with upper management later in the week.

“Even the hint of a problem is of concern to me,” Wagnon said.

Mike Deines, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, said the agency would not comment because it hadn’t seen the grievance yet.

The complaints were filed with the state Public Employee Relations Board.

The complaint against SRS alleges that at KAPE “meet and greet” gatherings earlier this month in Wamego, Marysville and Atchison, SRS management attended the meeting as part of intimidation tactics.

In a separate instance, KAPE said management at the Revenue Department also made comments intended to restrain employees from joining the union.

In both cases, KAPE is seeking an order requiring the state to stop these alleged actions.

State law says public employees have the right to form, join and participate in groups that advocate for their working conditions.