Paterson Firefighters Secure City-Paid Dental Coverage in Court Ruling

New Jersey appeals court orders Paterson to cover firefighters' dental insurance costs, upholding union rights.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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In a victory for the Paterson Firefighters Association (PFA), a New Jersey appellate court has ruled that the City of Paterson must cover the cost of dental insurance for its firefighters. The ruling overturns a lower court decision and upholds a preservation clause in the union's collective bargaining agreement that protects members from changes that would shift the cost of dental insurance to them.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant win for the Paterson firefighters' union, which has been fighting to maintain their negotiated benefits. The decision affirms the importance of collective bargaining agreements and preservation clauses that protect workers' rights, even after a contract has expired. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the city administration and the firefighters' union over the allocation of municipal resources.

The details

The Paterson Firefighters Association (PFA) sued the city, arguing that a preservation clause in its collective bargaining agreement protected members from changes that would shift the cost of dental insurance to them. The appellate panel sided with the firefighters, reversing a lower court ruling that had found the city was not responsible for dental costs. The court cited a preservation clause in the PFA's memorandum of agreement (MOA) stating that 'all the rights, privileges, and benefits which the employees covered by this contract enjoyed prior to the effective date of this contract are retained by the employees except as those rights, privileges, and benefits are specifically abridged or modified by this contract.'

  • The PFA's collective negotiation agreement (CNA) was effective from 2010 to 2019.
  • In 2022, a subsequent MOA was signed that extended the CNA's terms and updated coverage language, including Article VII, which outlines health, dental, and prescription coverage.
  • In January 2024, the city notified firefighters of a new dental provider and began payroll deductions to cover costs, prompting the PFA to file a grievance.

The players

Paterson Firefighters Association (PFA)

The union representing full-time city firefighters in Paterson, New Jersey.

Frank Lozada

President of the Paterson Firefighters Association, FMBA Local 2.

Frank Petrelli

President of the Paterson Fire Officers Association, FMBA Local 202.

Eddie Donnelly

President of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA).

Bruno Mongiardo

The judge who initially sided with the city in the lower court ruling.

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What they’re saying

“This has been a fight our union shouldn't have to have. These benefits were already negotiated, yet the city keeps pushing back. We've won six arbitrations and more than a dozen grievances without losing once. Now we're just waiting for the city to honor what's rightfully ours, and thankfully the new business administrator is working with us to fix past issues.”

— Frank Lozada, President of the Paterson Firefighters Association, FMBA Local 2

“This decision confirms what we believed from the start, that this grievance should never have been necessary. The contract language was crystal clear, and this issue could have been resolved long before it reached arbitration. Instead, the City chose to litigate it, resulting in unnecessary legal costs for the city and frustration for the firefighters and officers who continue to serve the residents of Paterson.”

— Frank Petrelli, President of the Paterson Fire Officers Association, FMBA Local 202

“It's unconscionable that Paterson's firefighters go to work every day to keep their city safe yet have to fight so hard to protect what they have earned. This union will not sit by idly while the Sayegh Administration continues to litigate and relitigate, costing our members and taxpayers significantly.”

— Eddie Donnelly, President of the NJFMBA

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the city to appeal the appellate court's ruling.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of collective bargaining agreements and preservation clauses that protect workers' rights, even after a contract has expired. It also underscores the ongoing tensions between municipal governments and public sector unions over the allocation of limited resources, and the need for good-faith negotiations to resolve such disputes.