Issue 14

Jun 19

Welcome to the 14th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, and chaotically reinstated CDC employees. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

BREAKING NEWS

» The CDC Data Project has launched: On June 16, Fired But Fighting’s amazing data team launched a high-impact dashboard, allowing users to drill down into the programmatic, state, and community-level impacts of the proposed FY26 budget. As of June 19, the website has garnered nearly 9,000 unique visitors. Please SHARE WIDELY. This project is a game-changer: The CDC Data Project.

JUDICIAL UPDATES

» HHS employees affected by the April 1 RIF remain on administrative leave until the Supreme Court issues a decision on the preliminary injunction currently in place as a result of the AFGE et al. v. Trump case.

» HHS submitted information to the District Court in Rhode Island on the State of New York v. Kennedy case, arguing that last week’s rescission of the RIF notices of 469 CDC employees undermines the plaintiffs’ claims in the lawsuit.

Click to view this week’s full legal update and a primer on calling your representatives.

CALLS TO ACTION

» Outraged by RFK's firing of all ACIP members? Leave a comment on the June 2025 meeting notice here. The comment period ends TOMORROW, June 20 at 11:59PM EST. Find more information, including how to request to make an oral public comment during the meeting, here.

» Join the CDC Alumni and Friends’ Urgent Action Alerts!

Call key senators and urge them to reject the proposed FY26 Budget! If passed, this budget would cut CDC funding by 42% and 5,500 FTEs. You may use these scripts, customized for key influential elected officials.
Call Senator Cassidy, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP). Particularly with the upcoming ACIP meeting on June 24-25 (see draft agenda), it’s important to let him know you are appalled that Secretary Kennedy has unilaterally dismissed all 17 members of CDC’s ACIP. Cassidy facilitated RFK’s senate approval by casting the deciding vote in the HELP committee. See background information and key messages to communicate to Senator Cassidy.

» We Are Patriots: From June 4 to July 4, Fired But Fighting is encouraging people to fight back against the Trump administration’s assault on our systems of government. Click here to learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved.

» Shop NEW Fired But Fighting Merch: The newest Fired But Fighting fundraising items include moisture-wicking tees, green classic tees, and caps. We’ve also reopened the “Snuggles for Science” fundraiser due to popular demand. Funds raised help us pay for the supplies and services we need to continue to fight back! Shop the fundraiser.

EVENTS

» 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.

» Saturday, June 21 - AFGE is hosting a “Solidarity Saturday” event at Manuel’s Tavern. RSVP here.

» Wednesday, June 23 - In honor of the first Meeting of Vaccine Skeptics and Pseudoscientists (formerly ACIP), please join us for a Parade of Preventable Diseases in front of the Roybal campus. Meet us at 4:00 pm dressed as your favorite pathogen. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Feel free to share this event flyer widely.

» Friday, July 4 - Do you live OTP north? Our friends at Indivisible Cobb are holding a parade celebrating “the workers behind our freedom.” View the event flyer here.

» Saturday, July 5 - (Un) Happy Hour with music from a band of Rollins staff members, Reinstate Pluto. Free beers on AFGE 2883! Get the details.

QUICK TIPS

» Facing a potential early retirement? Honest Math is a free retirement calculator you can use to input your numbers, then run various scenarios and their “Monte Carlo” projections.

» Did you miss the GA PWC primary election on 6/17? Don’t miss any more elections! The nonpartisan Turbovote will text and email you reminders for upcoming elections, links to check your voter registration status, changes in your polling location, and links to sample ballots.

» Were you recently reinstated and unsure whether it’s okay to continue advocacy work, including volunteering with Fired But Fighting? The answer is YES. You can engage in politics and protests on your own time. If you want to participate in a rally during your tour of duty, you must take administrative leave. See AFGE’s Hatch Act guidance and FBF’s quick reference guide.

» Can’t afford Marketplace insurance? If you’re in Atlanta, look into the Grady Card. Grady offers discounted care under a Financial Assistance Program to qualified individuals for emergency and medically necessary services. You can learn more here: Financial Assistance Program - Plain Language Summary | Grady Health

» Worried about paying your bills? Your mortgage and utility companies may offer options for people experiencing financial hardships, such as job loss. You can either contact the companies directly or visit I need help paying my bills | United Way 211 to learn about your options.

» If you’re looking for ways to save money on prescriptions or are exploring state-funded health insurance, take a look at the Resources for Medications & GA Health Marketplace created by one of our Fired But Fighting volunteers.

» Pregnant in Georgia without health insurance? Medicaid covers you for the duration of your pregnancy. You are also covered up to one year postpartum, and your baby can be covered up to age 18. More information about coverage is available at Georgians for a Healthy Future and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Georgia.

SELF CARE

We are dealing with a lot of uncertainty and stress. Here are some great sites for helping you find a method that can enable you to get a good night’s sleep. 🧸

» The National Sleep Foundation

» Healthline: 15 Proven Tips to Sleep Better at Night

UNION CORNER

» If you are a separated employee, you can still be a dues-paying member of AFGE Local 2883. Regardless of your status, AFGE Local 2883 remains committed to standing with all affected employees. For questions, please email Local 2883 at probationary@afge2883ga.org.

» AFGE National Legal has requested information from staff on transfer of functions. If you are familiar with any activities related to illegal transfer of functions (activities of RIF'd staff being taken over, for example), please fill out this form.

CAREER CORNER

» FedsForward has a number of helpful Career Resources available to help you navigate your career pivot.

» APHA (The American Public Health Association) has a great job board worth checking out if your job search needs a bit of “shaking up”.

» Webinar alert - June 25: Career Trends in the National Capital Region FedSupport Hub

» Webinar alert - June 25: American Society for Microbiology: Public Health and Beyond: A Career Exploration Series: Part 3 - Academics, Clinical Microbiology and Other Public Health Avenues

» Webinar on Demand - APHA: Your Public Health Job Search: Transitioning Across Sectors | Replay Webinar

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

» Join our Fired But Fighting LinkedIn group for former CDC employees. We are partnering with employers and public health leaders to share opportunities and job resources.