New security measures raise controversy with Port Newark employees

New identification requirements at Port Newark have some New Jersey workers up in arms.Under the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Workers Identification Credential Program, all workers

News 12 Staff

Jan 8, 2007, 3:42 AM

Updated 6,558 days ago

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New identification requirements at Port Newark have some New Jersey workers up in arms.Under the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Workers Identification Credential Program, all workers at Port Newark will be required to carry high tech identification cards. The new cards will have an integrated chip similar to a Military I.D. card. The chip will contain the card holders? fingerprint, background information and unique identifying pin.However, the I.D. cards come at a price. Truck drivers who want to continue to do business in Port Newark will have to pay at least $159. Some say it?s not fair for them to have to pay and argue against the need for an additional background check. Other workers feel it's the price of doing business in a high-security time.The Port Authority has been pushing for the new I.D. cards for more than two years. Port Newark will require all workers entering the port to have the new identification by March.