Former Farmland Foods workers have filed a lawsuit saying they weren't paid for work performed off the production line at the company's Crete, Neb., slaughterhouse.

The federal lawsuit alleges hourly employees are owed pay for time spent donning and doffing protective gear, cleaning equipment, sharpening knives and walking to work stations, among other off-line activities, according to the Associated Press.

Mauricio Guarjardo of Colombus, Neb., and Maria Guzman Morales of Dorchester, Neb., filed the class-action lawsuit against Farmland and its parent company, Smithfield Foods, late last week on behalf of themselves and current and former employees dating back to September 2005, the AP reported.

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