Medical device companies disclosed layoff plans

Big medical device companies disclosed plans to cut about 800 jobs in Minnesota last year.

Boston Scientific planned 500 job cuts, the biggest medical technology industry layoff last year. Most cuts were tied to a restructuring launched in 2011. The company has yet to disclose how many Minnesotans may be affected by additional layoffs announced last month.

Boston Scientific says it now employs about 5,000 people in the state. St. Jude planned to cut 180 Minnesota jobs, and Medtronic 125 jobs. The industry has struggled with slowing demand for cardiac devices and has been preparing to pay a new federal tax on devices.

Federal law requires employers with more than 100 workers to provide notice of plant closings or widespread layoffs. Minnesota law requires those employers to help the state identify affected workers so they can get help finding new jobs.