The group filed the lawsuit, referred to as Matthew Fisher v. Western Forest Products Inc., on March 10 in Clark County Superior Court.

Western Forest Products manufactures lumber at its Fruit Valley location and formerly operated a Columbia Vista sawmill that closed after a fire last year.

The lawsuit claims the British Columbia-based company did not give employees rest and meal breaks and failed to compensate them for that extra time worked. The lawsuit also alleges the company didn't pay overtime when the time worked during those missed breaks pushed employees over 40 hours per week.

Western Forest Products required employees to pay employer expenses without reimbursing them, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit further alleges the company didn't accrue or allow employees to use paid sick leave for qualifying absences and also failed to pay all wages due when an employee was terminated.

The group of current and former employees also allege Western Forest Products didn't keep accurate payroll records.

The complaint states about 40 employees could have been impacted by the alleged practices.

Babita Khunkhun, spokesperson for Western Forest Products, said the company deeply values its employees and has long committed to acting with integrity and maintaining responsible business practices.

"While we cannot comment on the specifics of the allegations at this time, we take all employee concerns seriously," Khunkhun said.

The company is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond through the appropriate legal process, she added.

Western Forest Products recently unveiled plans to expand its Fruit Valley manufacturing operation.