JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Sanderson Farms Inc. has sued a union, claiming its union representatives filed meritless complaints with federal agencies and made slanderous statements to news organizations.

The Mississippi-based poultry producer filed the lawsuit Aug. 28 in Jones County Circuit Court against the Laborers International Union of North America Local 693 and the Southeast Laborers’ District Council. Frank McLaurin and Sherri Jones, described as union representatives for workers at Sanderson Farms’ processing plants in Collins and Hazlehurst, also are named as defendants in the complaint.