[quote=deadzone]BG, certainly some portion of the Mexican national or other foreign workers in San Diego are green card holders. But for them it would be risky to cross the border daily because living abroad is by definition not allowed. (It is called permanent resident card and USCIS is strict on this).
Of course all of the non green card holders that work here also risk losing their Visa by crossing daily. One obvious trick around this is they live in San Diego or elsewhere during the week and return to TJ on weekend. Just try to cross the border to TJ on Friday night, it is 10 times more crowded than any other night.
But you are referring to “long time service sector employees” and using an example of a 20+ year employee at the Hotel Del is not very realistic. Do you really believe there are for instance room cleaners at the Hotel Del that have worked there doing that same job for 20+ years? Do you have an example of this? There is so much turn around on service sector jobs that is a ridiculous idea.
Also, why would they care if they are paying into FICA? Even with deductions, a minimum wage worker at Mcdonalds in San Diego is making 5 times what they would earn in TJ for the same job.[/quote]
When I worked in the service sector in SD in the ’70’s (three 4 and 5-star restaurants) we had a LOT of employees who crossed the border everyday to come to work. Many had worked there 5 to 25 years at that time. Maybe the work-permit procedure has changed over the years. I wasn’t in HR so I don’t know if these employees’ right to work was renewed by the house every year. We were all members of San Diego Food Handler’s Union Local 30 and had benefits through the union. I do not know if it is still in existence.
deadzone, it is VERY realistic that SD’s best hotels and restaurants have many employees with at least 20 years seniority. When people land well-tipping gigs at the best houses, especially coveted dinner wait staff slots, they typically never leave. I left because I did not want to work weekends and holidays anymore and took an entry level civil service position.
