Cuts coming for Medtronic employees

Fridley-based Medtronic is planning to cut up to 500 jobs in its cardiac rhythm disease management division. The medical device-maker says a prolonged slump in sales of its heart defibrillators is driving the cuts.

Those who work in the cardiac rhythm division are being offered the option of retiring early, taking a buyout package or transferring to another area of the company.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Tim Nelson who covers Medtronic as an analyst with the investment firm Piper Jaffray.