The two sides also reached an agreement on overtime, which was the other major issue in the dispute.
Ms. Slatten met with union representatives on Thursday to tell them about the layoffs and to float the idea of "givebacks," in which union members sacrifice provisions in their collective bargaining agreement, like overtime, pay or benefits.
After meeting with Canada's prime minister, Jean Chrétien, last week, President Bush said the two sides would be "working overtime" to achieve an agreement before Friday's announcement.
Once you're satisfied with your selection, put together a written work agreement that covers daily responsibilities, holidays, overtime compensation and salary.
While the union can negotiate contracts that protect workers in various ways, most agreements still allow employers to require overtime work.
In an effort to comply with the agreement, the department has begun relying on overtime pay and fill-in officers to staff the required number of sergeants.
Under the agreement, the company will pay $500,000 in overtime back wages to nearly 3,000 workers at its Blountsville, Ala., plant.
Sugar growers are currently working overtime to derail the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which the president is trying to get through Congress before the July 4th holiday.
In principle a worker's agreement to receive comp time instead of overtime pay is supposed to be voluntary.
The bill would generally not apply to higher-level salaried workers who are exempt under overtime provisions, although some union agreements provide overtime coverage even to exempt employees.
