The Bureau of Labor Law may enter into agreements, called stipulations, with contractors who want to settle prevailing wage complaints without hearings.  But, if an investigation and hearing of a complaint is conducted, the Comptroller's Office will make a final determination on the case and issue an Order and Determination.

When the City and civil service unions cannot reach agreements with the City regarding wages and supplements, the unions may file complaints with the Comptroller's Office, requesting it to set the appropriate wages and supplements. After the Comptroller's Office issues a preliminary wage schedule, the parties may either negotiate a contract, known as a Consent Determination or the Comptroller will issue an Order after a hearing.