USW, Companies Testifying on China Imports of Coated Paper

U.S. Trade Commission to hear from 19 Congress Members;

Ohio Governor Strickland, USW-represented paper workers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The final phase hearing is today before the U.S. International Trade Commission for a trade case against China and Indonesian imports of coated paper that was filed by the United Steelworkers (USW) and three domestic companies.

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Testimony in support of the preliminary tariffs placed on coated paper import will be presented by 19 congressional members and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, plus USW President Leo W. Gerard and top executives of the paper companies. A dozen USW-represented paper workers employed by the companies will be in the hearing room.

The companies who filed the petition are: NewPage Corp., Miamisburg, OH; Appleton Coated LLC, Kimberly, WI; and Sappi Fine Paper North America, Boston, MA. The three companies employ about 6,000 production workers represented by the USW at 20 paper mills operating in seven states.

Leo W. Gerard, USW international president, said the preliminary duties placed on coated paper imports are already making a different, but the ITC's final vote next month following today's hearing will reassure the companies and paper workers that the US government intends to enforce the trade laws.

The Department of Commerce's decision in March followed a preliminary determination of injury to the industry by the ITC last November.  The ITC's report showed that imports from China and Indonesia jumped by more than 40 percent during the first six months of 2009 compared with a similar period of time in 2008.

The companies and the USW filed the unfair trade cases on September 23, 2009 with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") alleging that certain coated paper from China and Indonesia had been dumped and subsidized resulting in injury to the domestic industry and its employees

USW testimony will be posted upon delivery to the ITC at:  www.usw.org

ATTENTION BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC TRADE EDITORS – Additional information on the coated paper trade case can be accessed by the following contacts: Ann Whalen, Appleton Coated LLC, 920-968-3809, [email protected]; Shawn Hall, NewPage Corp., 937-242-9373, [email protected]; Amy Olson, Sappi fine Paper NA, 617-320-1646; [email protected];  

CONTACT:  Gary Hubbard 202-778-4384 (O); (202) 256-8125 (C); [email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)