§ 149. Employees. Permanent employees of the department of labor assigned to duties wholly in relation to the enforcement and administration of this chapter, in the competitive class of the classified civil service in office when this section takes effect shall continue in office, except that upon certification by the chairman to the director of the budget filed within sixty days from the time this chapter takes effect that any such employee is not required for the exercise of the functions, powers, duties and obligations transferred and assigned to the board pursuant to this chapter, such employee shall not be continued; provided, however, that whenever there are more than three officers or employees in the same class and grade of position the provisions of section thirty-one of the civil service law shall apply, and any such employee or employees not continued in office shall be placed on the preferred eligible list.

The chairman of the board may appoint officers and employees, including such investigators, statisticians, examiners, and other assistants, as may be necessary for the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties of the chairman or the board.

The chairman may transfer officers or employees from their positions to other positions under the board; may abolish or consolidate such positions; and may suspend or remove from office any officer or employee of the board; subject, however, to the provisions of the civil service law and rules.