With the ITC Final Hearing on Chinese engineered hardwood flooring manufacturers scheduled for Oct. 12, the Alliance for Free Choice and Jobs in Flooring (AFCJF) is making one last push to add new members. The ITC hearing will determine the final numbers for any potential new countervailing and antidumping rates.

Jonathan Train, AFCJF president, released the following statement:

"The ITC Final Hearing is just around the corner. Now is the time to make sure your support is officially counted. We must show the International Trade Commission on October 12th that the American industry opposes these unnecessary added duties on engineered wood flooring.  

"Those supporting the Alliance are clear in their belief that added duties will be highly disruptive to our industry and they need to be stopped.  

"To support our cause, please go to www.choiceandjobs.com to join today.  We welcome any donation amount, but what is most important is that we have you officially counted as a member.  

"We understand that many of us have business relationships on both sides of the case. Many companies and individuals have chosen to support the Alliance quietly. They have providing us with private support and while they may not be listed individually on our site, they have asked to be included in our total numbers as opposing this Petition. We respect their position in the market and thank them for their support.

"This is the time for the flooring industry to band together to tell the Commission clearly that this outrageous request for added duties will damage the industry as a whole for years to come and will delay our recovery attempts.  It is imperative that we show our government the number and range of companies and the many jobs that will be negatively affected should added duties go in place on a permanent basis. 

"The Alliance and other respondents are prepared to make a strong case at the ITC Final Hearing in October. We would be delighted to have you join us at the Final Hearing and if you would like more information about how to attend, just ask.  

"However, if you cannot attend, you can still be counted--please go to our website to sign up as supporting free choice in flooring."

AFCJF is also accepting contributions through PayPal online at choiceandjobs.com/donate.html.