Doyle says Mercury could add 600 jobs

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Jim Doyle says Mercury Marine could add more than 600 jobs in Fond du Lac should it decide to stay and take advantage of state tax incentives.

He said Wednesday that how fast those jobs would be added depends on the economy and how quickly people start buying outboard motors again.

Doyle wouldn't say on a telephone conference call whether he thought the wage and benefit concessions Mercury Marine was asking its roughly 850 unionized manufacturing workers to approve was fair or not.

The governor says it's up to the workers to vote, but he's pleased they are getting another chance to decide.

Doyle says his strong wish is for the company to stay and expand in Wisconsin.