I seem to recall an story having to do wit i believe auto workers. It was a dispute about them getting dressed into their safety gear and getting to their position in the plant. Companies wanted them dressed and ready before the buzzer, but the law says they are to get dressed into all required gear while on the clock.

Since you wear a business attire, I doubt you are in an issue like this. But it could be a way to have people dressed for work before the buzzer. You are not an employee until you clock in at the agreed shift time, and as long as you are dressed like they ask at that point, there shouldn't be a problem.

I don't ever have these issues since my wife works for a law firm handling labor law. Even though I am in no union, her boss has saved my butt a few times. Find someone in NY that does this type of work and find what the law there is.