Section 1404. Civil service status of officers and employees

Officers and
  employees of any board, commission or department  of  the  city  may  be
  transferred  to  the  authority in accordance with the provisions of the
  civil  service  law  and  shall  be  eligible  for  such  transfer   and
  appointment  without  examination  to  offices  and  positions under the
  authority. Officers and  employees  of  the  city  who  are  members  or
  beneficiaries  of  any  existing  pension  or  retirement  system  shall
  continue to have the rights, privileges,  obligations  and  status  with
  respect  to such system or systems as are now prescribed by law, and all
  such employees who have been appointed to positions in  the  service  of
  the  city  under  the rules of the municipal civil service commission of
  the city shall have the same status with respect thereto after  transfer
  to  the  authority  as  they  had under their original appointments. The
  appointment and promotion of all employees of  the  authority  shall  be
  made  in accordance with the provisions of the civil service law and the
  rules of the city civil service commission.