New York Daily News

NOTAPPLY

- BY CHRISTOPHE­R BRENNAN

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S Mar-aLago resort is known for its opulence, though it seems to have skimped in its quest to find American workers.

Advertisem­ents placed in the Palm Beach Post informed the public about the waiter jobs at the commander-in-chief’s Florida getaway, but were printed in small text and included the requiremen­t that applicatio­ns be sent in by fax.

The ads for cooks, housekeepe­rs and waiters, were published in late July and came after the resort asked — during the Trump administra­tion’s “Made in America Week” — to be allowed to hire more foreign workers.

Applicatio­ns for H-2B visa workers are allowed when employers say there are not enough qualified U.S. residents to fill the positions.

Companies such as Mar-a-Lago are required to make steps to find Americans before going the cheaper foreign route, including placing two newspaper ads and contacting U.S. employees who have been let go.

It was not clear why Team Trump did not think any local Floridians were suited for jobs at the place that’s marketed as the “Winter White House,” though Trump previously said the hundreds of Americans who’ve applied for jobs there since 2010 were not qualified.

Others have pointed to the need for temporary workers during the tourist season.

The Palm Beach Post ad said that potential waiter hires should have recent experience in fine dining, and would be paid at least $11.88 an hour.

Cooks get at least $13.34 and housekeepe­rs receive $10.33, with all three positions including possible housing and travel reimbursem­ent options.

The ads tell potential Trump employees to fax résumés to a Florida number, though calls to that number were met with an automated voice system rather than a fax machine.

Despite the minimal effort from Mar-a-Lago, at least two Americans did apply, including one who told The Washington Post he turned down a position there because it was seasonal.

The newspaper reported that the 14 days the resort was required to look for American workers are now over, and that the Labor Department says it will evaluate its foreign employee applicatio­n no differentl­y than that of any other business.

Rules for the process say that companies may be required to do additional recruitmen­t if they are found not to have made sufficient effort to advertise jobs. Despite his touting companies to “hire American,” properties connected to Trump have repeatedly asked the Department of Labor to look abroad for workers.

The Trump National Golf Course in Westcheste­r County made similar requests for foreign waiters and waitresses in April. HE’S ON vacation — but he’s not giving his Twitter feed a rest. President Trump — who’s on a “working” vacation at his New Jersey golf resort — started his Monday with a Twitter rant against Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Trump — who dodged Vietnam War service — called the Connecticu­t Democrat a “phony Vietnam con artist” after apparently watching him on CNN. “Interestin­g to watch Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticu­t talking about hoax Russian collusion when he was a phony Vietnam con artist!” Trump wrote. “He told stories about his Vietnam battles and ....... conquests, how brave he was, and it was all a lie. ” Blumenthal fired back on Twitter, saying, “Mr. President: Your bullying hasn't worked before and it won't work now. No one is above the law.” Both share a dishonorab­le history with Vietnam service — Blumenthal publicly declared on several occasions he had fought in the war, when he actually served stateside. Trump avoided service with four student deferments before dodging it for good with a medical deferment for bone spurs in his heels.

 ??  ?? During President Trump’s “Made in America Week,” his Mar-a-Lago resort asked feds for permission to hire more foreign help. Americans who might be interested had to find tiny ads, and fax in résumés. Jason Silverstei­n
During President Trump’s “Made in America Week,” his Mar-a-Lago resort asked feds for permission to hire more foreign help. Americans who might be interested had to find tiny ads, and fax in résumés. Jason Silverstei­n

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