BUSINESS MEMO: JOHN DEERE CUTBACKS

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Union leaders are telling 3,800 workers to brace for cutbacks as John Deere and Co. prepares for a cut in agriculture equipment sales next year.

Deere has started to adjust to a sagging agriculture economy through "temporary inventory adjustment shutdowns," said Dennis Kinard, shop chairman for United Auto Workers Local 838.

The company wants to keep layoffs to a minimum through attrition and retirements to help maintain an appropriate work force level, Golden said.