The Port Authority — fed up with organized crime on the waterfront — is installing a strict set of hiring practices this week.

Under the new policy, anyone hired in the PA’s Ports Commerce Department, which manages marine terminals in New York and New Jersey, will be disqualified if they have a prior felony conviction.

It’s the same rules that apply to PA police hires.

The current policy does not immediately disqualify ports-department applicants for employment if they have prior felony convictions.

“I have taken this precautionary measure since the region’s docks have a sad legacy of organized-crime influence, which has wrecked lives and destroyed jobs,” said PA chief Pat Foye.

The Post reported last week that some longshoremen — including relatives of Mafia leaders — rake in staggering salaries, thanks to onerous union rules and unwritten special deals.

That includes Ralph Gigante, nephew of the late mob boss Vincent “Chin” Gigante, who last year earned $406,659 at Port Newark Container Terminals, an astounding salary considering his base rate is $36 an hour.

Gigante, a union shop steward, admitted under oath in a 2010 Waterfront Commission hearing that he is only at the ports around 30 hours a week.

Change won’t come easy.

“The fact remains that PNCT is contractually obligated to follow the hiring practices in the Port of New York/New Jersey in accordance with collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the [International Longshoremen’s Association] and the [terminals],” said Jim Pelliccio, CEO of PNCT, which employs Gigante.