Issue 11

May 29

Welcome to the eleventh issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated and improperly RIF’d CDC employees. Read on for legal and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

To download a PDF of the newsletter, click here.

BREAKING NEWS

» Coming soon: We Are Patriots campaign. Despite what MAGA claims, public servants are patriots! Fired But Fighting is cooking up a campaign to showcase who we are as patriotic public servants. Additionally, FBF is hosting a Take Back the Flag Day party on June 14th. Click here for details about the event.

» For Probationary Employees: CDC OHR has PAUSED the dissemination of separation packages for probationary employees. We do not know what this means yet. We only know OHR has been instructed to stop sending the documents until further instruction from HHS. Employees who passed their probationary period during administrative leave have been either reinstated or subjected to RIFs.

JUDICIAL UPDATES

At a Glance: A federal court has blocked the administration from moving forward with HHS RIFs, ruling that Congress must approve such actions. While employees remain on administrative leave for now, the administration has appealed and is seeking an emergency stay that could reinstate the June 2nd separation date. Other key cases, including the first class action certification for fired probationary employees, are moving forward.
Click here to read this week’s full legal update.

CALLS TO ACTION

We have a lot of updates for you this week. The below is just a snippet. Click here to read the details.

» Probationary employees terminated on May 8: Check your inbox for a message titled “OHR Separation Package READ THIS EMAIL IMMEDIATELY.” If you received an SF-50 listing “Legal Authority Reg. 315.804,” this conflicts with Judge Alsup’s court order and should be forwarded to AFGE reps immediately at afgeemail@address. If you haven’t received paperwork yet, email hrcs@cdc.gov with your termination date and copy your supervisor and union contacts.

» Considering canceling your GRB retirement request? Contact your assigned retirement HR rep or email hrcs@cdc.gov to place your application on hold until the legal process is resolved.

» Preparing for appeals? Many branches are working with legal teams to coordinate MSPB appeals. Reach out to your colleagues to find your branch’s legal POC if you haven’t already heard from one.

» RIF’d employees: To register for the Reemployment Priority List (RPL/PRL), submit your forms and supporting documents before your RIF effective date. You’ll need your RPL or PRL registration form, RIF notice, resume (with GS series and level), and latest SF-50 (OHR can pull if needed). Email everything to hrcs@cdc.gov with subject line "RPL/PRL Registration – [Your Full Name]".

» Looking ahead: Brown Bag sessions on post-government employment ethics will be offered July through November. Keep an eye out to register.

» Contact Your Georgia Senators Directly. Need help or have questions for Senators Warnock or Ossoff? Fired But Fighting now has a “Contact a Georgia Senator” page with direct links to staffers from both offices. Use it to get connected and get answers.

» The CDC Museum wants to hear your stories. You can schedule an in-person meeting, borrow audio equipment, use an app to record your oral history, or write a memoir.

» Follow Fired But Fighting on Bluesky and Instagram for reactions and fact-checking.

Click here to read detailed calls to action.

Events

» May 31: Gritty in Green: An Unhappy Hour and Letter-Writing Event. 🟩 Dress to Resist. Mutation Brewing, 5825 Roswell Road, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. 2-5pm. Details here: Gritty in Green (Un) Happy Hour — Fired But Fighting.

» Saturday June 14th - Fired But Fighting is hosting a Take Back the Flag party in Decatur from 3 pm to 7 pm in honor of Flag Day. RSVP required. Click here to let us know you’re coming.
» Saturday June 14th - Before you hit the FBF “Take Back the Flag” event, attend the No Kings rally, a nationwide nonviolent day of anti-authoritarian protest and action. 🚫👑
» Friday-Sunday, June 20-22 - Need to take a break and have some fun with your fellow gamers & geeks? Did you know that the Southern Fried Gaming Expo is run by three of our fellow RIF’d CDC feds? Our colleagues are offering a special discount: Use code FiredButFighting at online checkout to receive 25% off pre-registration. This code is not valid at the door.

Quick Tips

» Serving as an elections poll worker is one of the few 'outside activities' that does not require EPATS (Ethics) approval. Apply through your county of residence. Most of these positions are paid.
» Do you have questions about your retirement benefits? Feducate is an organization that specializes in designing and managing custom retirement plans for members of the Federal Government. They offer workshops, phone consultations, and in-person consultations.
» What do I do with my Thrift Savings Plan?

You have a few options:

1) Leave your funds in the TSP until retirement. No action is required.

2) Withdraw some or all funds. A 20% federal tax applies. Call 1-877-968-3778 or mail a withdrawal request to OPM, FERS, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017-0045.

3) Roll over your TSP into another retirement account. You can also roll other accounts into your TSP.

More Resources:

- Information for TSP Participants Leaving the Federal Government

- Rollovers from the Thrift Savings Plan to Eligible Retirement Plans

- Taking Money from Your Account

Union Corner

Register for AFGE’s Petitioning Office Hour and Q&A Session on June 4th! Sign up and submit questions for the session here. The session will cover the petitioning process to gain bargaining unit coverage, updates on current efforts, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Career Corner

» Need help navigating the career change from the public sector to private or non-profit? Check out the Career Center from FedsForward.

» Have you signed up for the Coursera Supporting Federal Workers in Transition program yet? Free access to Coursera courses and certificates through December 31, 2025.

» Since we still currently have a Department of Education, review their substantial Career Transition Resource Hub.

» Sometimes giving is receiving. Find volunteer opportunities - and even a non-profit job search - at Idealist.