Bill Text: NJ SJR36 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Governor and Legislature of New York to enact legislation requiring Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to accept applications for inclusion of new employees to longshoremen's register.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-27 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee [SJR36 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SJR36-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Governor and Legislature of New York to enact legislation requiring Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to accept applications for inclusion of new employees to longshoremen's register.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution urging the Governor and Legislature of New York to enact legislation requiring the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to accept applications for the inclusion of new employees in the longshoremen's register.
Whereas, In September, 2007, the Governor and Legislature of New Jersey enacted P.L.2007, c.167, a law requiring the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to accept any application for the inclusion of new employees in the longshoremen's register of the Port of New York District, as provided in that law; and
Whereas, Because the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor is a bi-state commission, P.L.2007, c.167 will remain inoperative until the enactment into law by the State of New York of legislation of substantially similar substance and effect; and
Whereas, The enactment of legislation in New York that is substantially similar to P.L.2007, c.167 would remove the existing standards that the commission must use when deciding whether to accept or reject an application for the inclusion of employees in the longshoremen's register, and would require the commission to accept any application; and
Whereas, The current standards used to evaluate applications may hinder the ability of employers and labor organizations of longshoremen to add new workers to the longshoremen's register; and
Whereas, This legislation would ensure that the commission's law enforcement mission is unabated, thereby allowing the commission to continue to screen individually every candidate attempting to join the longshoremen's register so that only individuals with the character necessary to enjoy a meaningful and productive career are allowed to join the longshore workforce; and
Whereas, The Port of New York and New Jersey is under intense pressure from the other Atlantic Coast ports of Norfolk, Baltimore, Charleston, and Savannah, with each of these competing ports providing significant economic advantages to employers and workers alike; and
Whereas, Without legislative action by the State of New York, the Port of New York and New Jersey will be denied the flexibility necessary to hire and train workers in a timely manner, which will continue to impede the economic growth of the port; and
Whereas, The enactment of legislation by the State of New York substantially similar in substance and effect to P.L.2007, c.167 would enhance the ability of port employers to add to the longshore workforce and provide more workers opportunities for productive careers in the highly competitive global shipping industry; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Governor and Legislature of New Jersey respectfully urges the Governor and Legislature of New York to enact legislation substantially similar in substance and effect to P.L.2007, c.167, thereby requiring the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to accept applications for the inclusion of new employees in the longshoremen's register.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor of the State of New York, each member of the New York State Legislature, and the New York and New Jersey Commissioners of the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution urges the Governor and Legislature of the State of New York to enact legislation substantially similar to P.L.2007, c.167, a law requiring the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor to accept any application for the inclusion of new employees in the longshoremen's register of the Port of New York District. In September, 2007, the State of New Jersey enacted P.L.2007, c.167, to require the commission to accept applications. However, that law remains inoperative until the State of New York enacts legislation of substantially similar substance and effect.
