A spokeswoman at Eaton said the latest cuts, combined with 3,400 layoffs announced in the second half of 2008, would bring the total number of staff cuts to 10 percent of the company's total workforce.

The Cleveland-based company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter earnings on January 26.

"We anticipate there will be additional information at that time," said Spokeswoman Kelly Jasko in a telephone interview.

In December, the Cleveland-based company slashed its profit forecast for the quarter and said its end markets could decline by about 7 percent in 2009.

Eaton said it expects operating earnings per share for the fourth quarter - which excludes charges related to the integration of recent acquisitions - within a range of $1.00 and $1.10, down from its last forecast given on Oct 20 of a range between $1.70 and $1.80 per share.

Eaton said it expects net earnings per share in a range from 90 cents and $1.00.

Wall Street analysts' average forecast is for $1.05 per share, excluding items, for the quarter.

(Reporting by Christopher Kaufman; Editing by Gary Hill)