Federal Labor Board Rules Against Lodi Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Squad, Orders Reinstatement of EMTs

The writers have come across important information out of our Hudson County borders that no other local media outlets have covered in Bergen County. We feel it is incredibly important to report as such.

Lodi, New Jersey — A significant federal labor ruling against the Lodi Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Squad (LVARS) is drawing renewed scrutiny not only to the agency’s labor practices but also to the broader impact on emergency medical coverage for the local community.

In a January 28, 2026 Decision and Order, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found that LVARS violated federal labor law by refusing to bargain in good faith with the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics, Local R2-644 and by unilaterally eliminating all paid EMT positions rather than negotiating with the certified union. The decision was entered as a default judgment after the employer failed to respond to the amended complaint, resulting in the allegations being deemed admitted under Board rules.

Mass Job Eliminations After Union Certification

The NLRB determined that after the union was certified in August 2023, LVARS made sweeping unilateral changes, including eliminating a daytime shift and later abolishing all paid emergency medical technician positions — full-time, part-time, and per diem — effective June 2024 without bargaining.

Federal labor law requires employers to negotiate over core workplace issues such as wages, hours, and staffing levels. The Board concluded LVARS’s conduct violated provisions of the National Labor Relations Act protecting employees’ rights to organize and requiring employers to bargain with certified unions.

As part of its remedy, the NLRB ordered LVARS to:

– Offer reinstatement to affected EMTs,

– Provide back pay, benefits, and interest,

– Rescind unilateral staffing and scheduling changes, and

– Recognize and bargain with the union moving forward.

Impact on Emergency Response Coverage

Beyond the labor dispute, the elimination of paid EMT positions has also raised concerns among residents and public safety observers about emergency response reliability.

Career EMT staffing typically allows for dedicated, scheduled coverage within a municipality. In contrast, volunteer systems often depend on the availability of responders at the time of an emergency. Since the termination of all paid EMT roles, Lodi has reportedly relied more heavily on mutual aid and county-level EMS resources, including regional response agencies that serve multiple municipalities like Bergen County EMS.

Public safety advocates note that while mutual aid systems are a critical component of emergency planning, they are not always structured to provide exclusive 24-hour coverage to a single town, potentially affecting response consistency during periods of high call volume or simultaneous incidents.

Union Rights and Broader EMS Workforce Issues

Labor supporters argue the ruling reflects wider tensions within the EMS profession, where many career EMTs have increasingly sought union representation to address concerns over wages, benefits, workplace protections, and long-term staffing stability.

They contend that eliminating paid positions rather than negotiating with a certified union not only violates federal law but can also disrupt continuity of care for communities that rely on professional emergency medical services.

Additional Allegations Under Review

Separate allegations involving governance and financial oversight issues — including reported concerns related to the administration of the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) — have been publicly raised and are said to be under review by appropriate authorities.

As of this time, the allegations surrounding not just the Board Members, but also the Lodi Volunteer officers such as; Christopher Pirrelli, who is also a Lt. with the Lodi Police Department, and Perrelli’s wife, Brianna Pirrelli. Both are also current employees with the Bergen County EMS. The NLRB decision itself addressed only the labor law violations tied to bargaining and job eliminations.

Compliance Required

LVARS must now comply with the Board’s order, post notices acknowledging employees’ rights, and certify corrective actions taken. The case is published as 374 NLRB No. 26 (2026), Case 22-CA-331846.

Observers say the decision sends a clear message to EMS agencies nationwide: union certification creates enforceable legal obligations — and staffing decisions can have consequences not only for workers, but for the communities they serve.

This matter continued to unfold as of the date of this publication.