Visa Cap Cuts Off Tourism Workers (Maine resorts rely on 3500 "obedient" foreign workers)

Portland Press Herald ^ | Sunday, March 21, 2004 | Matt Wickenheiser

[fight_truth_decay]

haven't seen any jobs going unfilled for lack of local labor

I live here and that is what everyone in the tourist industry talks about. The college kids are back in school in August. Tourists are also coming later in the season and staying longer. It is a problem the Vacationland State of Maine has been facing for quite some time.

The economy of Maine thanks you..come back soon! ;)

[fight_truth_decay]

Don't take the comment as personal..it is a generalization of a liberal mentality. No reflection on you.

Regards

[fight_truth_decay]

Visa Cap Cuts Off Tourism Workers

[fight_truth_decay]

Please post an article on workers lining up as you so indicate. I would like to read it. Truthfully, I would.

Thanks, ;)

fight_truth_decay

[cyborg]

This is how my mother came to the US during the 1960s. The US government had a visa program for educated women (which my mom was) to come and work in the hospitality industry in New York. The black power movement told Americans that being housekeepers and all that was beneath their blackness. America was a hard working immigrant paradise at the time where you could get as many jobs as you can stand. Now? Now I will do almost any job myself to make money to pay for college and all that. However, the pay is so ridiculously low cleaning up toilets used by morbidly obese people is hardly worth it. It's not that American kids don't want to work. Who wants to scrub toilets for $5.00 an hour ON THE BOOKS?

[international american]

I would like you to post an article from a local paper stating the good things Bush has done, or the truth that Kerry is a socialist.

Also, I would like to see an article on how illegal mexicans of California have destroyed the well paying jobs in IT, carpenters, plumbers, builders, small business...taken over entire cities...all signs in spanish..show me any of these articles!

[FITZ]

I know a guy from Barbados whose mother came the same way --- very decent people. Still we need to work on getting some people off welfare, you see too many here who are perfectly happy doing nothing --- but partially because it pays more than working these kinds of jobs. The total money the government will give you in handouts for not working beats what these jobs provide.

[healey22]

For 21 weeks, guests pack the resort's 145 rooms, and the Meadowmere doubles the size of its staff. The resort needs at least 35 additional workers(obedient slave labor from Jamaica) to bring extra towels poolside, serve gin and tonics at the pub, or run the room service cart up and down the halls.

Oh, by the way, my son works at McDonald's when he is not in school. He works so much that I have to make an appointment just to talk to him. He works in a small town where nothing but American kids are doing these menial jobs that President Bush says Americans won't do.

[international american]

Bingo

[cyborg]

Welfare is wicked wicked wicked. I remember my father telling me that welfare was the worst thing to happen to America. People didn't want to work anymore. I think it's different now, but I still see AND KNOW a lot of able bodied Americans who are just as capable of begging for jobs outside Home Depot as many illegal Mexican! Sure it's breaking the law, but what's stopping any welfare receipient from hustling? Nothing but the entrenched welfare mentality that pervades this country. I notice it myself in accepting student financial aid. So much I can say but you are spot on yourself.

[fight_truth_decay]

That's because you taught him his work ethic. You and your son are to be commended.

[fight_truth_decay]

I am referencing Maine only. I lay the blame on the states more so than one individual President in this case.

Am still waiting for your links. I think I have supplied enough of them here in my comments. California is where it is today because of the socialist ideals of policy makers within.

The old adage..."give a man a fish and he will eat for one day..teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."

Who said anything about the Spanish taking well paid jobs in the IT field or others you so mentioned?

This article is about the VISA cap that has effected employers in the tourism industry in Maine. Those that come into this country LEGALLY! Also you will find more small business resorts/restaurants etc., in Maine.

If the Kerry's came here, the accommodations would not be up to J.F.Kerry's standards...[speaks in nasal tone]"What.. no single malt scotch or caviar in the mini bar? Do you know who I am? Jeeves pack my bags. We're going over to Martha's, she's not using the place anyway!

[kittymyrib]

This whine will soon be followed by articles about teenage unemployment, the working poor not being able to make ends meet, etc. Actually, if gas will be $3/gal this summer, the resorts won't have to worry about all those rooms being filled anyway, so this may be a blessing in disguise.

[international american]

"I am referencing Maine only."

Ok, granted you have a rather unique situation.
Ours(California) is quite different. I am a FReeper who will admit I am wrong. I hereby admit it.

[fight_truth_decay]

I would like you to post...Also, I would like to see an article ..

Is your google or Jeeves search broken? Requesting me to do the work for you? And I must correct my Post 24 to you on Please post an article on workers lining up ..

It should have read: workers lining up in Maine for the above referenced jobs.

Won't hold my breath for your sources referenced on the subject at hand. I have given enough links to stories and/or statistics.

Appreciate all your opinions
fight_truth_decay

[fight_truth_decay]

Hey..posted the above before your comment. It is a subject that can go in so many directions..I perhaps was over sensitive as well.

have a good day.......international american

fight_truth_decay

[international american]

Same to you my friend...next time I will remove foot from mouth:)

[Penner]

"The recently enforced 66,000 federal cap on H-2B visa applications poses a serious, urgent problem for Maine employers," Snowe said. "This past Monday, I sat down with members of the Maine Restaurant Association who explained that unless a solution is implemented quickly, the hospitality industry may face a paralyzing seasonal labor shortage have to hire Americans.

"The urgency of this potential crisis for our state's tourism cannot be overstated," she said. "With the summer fast approaching, the hospitality industry needs help cheap foreign labor and they need it now."

[fight_truth_decay]

Unemployment rate for Maine:
2004...Jan...4.9
2003...4.7
2002...4.4
2001...3.9
2000...3.5
1999...4.1
1998...4.4
1997...5.4
1996...5.1
1995...5.7
1994...7.4
1993...7.9
1992...7.2

Unemployment numbers in Maine seemed lowest in the years 2000 through 2002 and even though climbing higher in 2003, unemployment was still lower then when under Clinton.

http://www.state.me.us/labor/lmis/laus.html