Jurisdiction & Authority

The New York Waterfront Commission was constituted pursuant to New York Executive Law, Article 19-I.  The Commission’s jurisdiction encompasses the portion of the Port of New York district that falls within the State of New York.  The Port of New York district includes the cities of New York and Yonkers in the State of New York, the cities of Newark, Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, and Elizabeth in New Jersey, and more than 200 other municipalities, including all or part of 17 counties, in the two states.

The Commission licenses companies and individuals that handle and/or perform services incidental to the handling of containerized cargo in the port.  It operates the telephonic hiring employment information center and oversees daily hiring of workers to ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and industry seniority provisions. The Commission regulates the deep-sea longshore workers' register to balance the workforce with the demand for labor and to ensure fair and nondiscriminatory hiring. It administers the decasualization program and removes dockworkers who fail to report to work on a regular basis.

Sworn law enforcement personnel, attorneys and intelligence analysts perform comprehensive background checks of individuals and companies to ensure they meet the applicable standards and qualifications to work and operate in the port. The Commission collects, analyzes and disseminates intelligence related to organized crime and racketeering activity at strategic and tactical levels. It conducts investigations into waterfront practices and works with federal, state and local law enforcement partners in complex criminal investigations pertaining to criminality and organized crime. The Commission conducts security officer training relating to pier and waterfront terminal cargo protection and security procedures.

The Commission investigates possible violations of the Waterfront Commission Act, including prohibited association with organized crime figures and career criminals. It conducts disciplinary hearings before administrative law judges to deny or revoke licensure for statutory violations, and to bar those who pose a danger to the public peace or safety or who lack the requisite good character and integrity from port employment.

The Commission collects quarterly assessments computed on the gross payroll payments made by port employers to longshore workers, hiring agents, pier superintendents and security officers. It conducts payroll and compliance audits and is responsible for determining deficiencies and imposition of penalties.