Issue 15

Jun 26

Welcome to the 15th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, and chaotically reinstated HHS employees. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, calls to action, events, tips, and resources.

Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read previous issues of the newsletter.

BREAKING NEWS

» In a major victory for federal labor rights, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction in AFGE, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump, et al., temporarily halting the enforcement of Executive Order 14251. The order would have stripped collective bargaining rights from millions of federal employees.

» Fired But Fighting’s data team has launched a high-impact dashboard, allowing users to drill down into the programmatic, state, and community-level impacts of the proposed FY26 budget. Congressional representatives have used our data in several of the hearings this week. Explore and share WIDELY: The CDC Data Project.

» The American Academy of Pediatrics issued the following statement in response to RFK Jr.’s ACIP: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) new vaccine advisers announced Wednesday they will be conducting a review of the child and adolescent vaccine schedules, a move the AAP criticized as aiming to sow distrust in immunizations. The AAP said it will continue to publish its evidence-based recommendations and schedules. The AAP has provided vaccine recommendations for its entire 95-year history. ‘What we heard in this meeting was really a false narrative that the current vaccine policies are flawed and that they need fixing,’ Sean T. O’Leary, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a press conference. ‘That's completely false. These policies have saved millions of lives, trillions of dollars.’” Source: AAP will continue to publish its own vaccine recommendations after CDC advisers sow distrust

JUDICIAL UPDATES

The Supreme Court is reviewing whether to pause the injunction that is keeping thousands of federal employees on payroll, but no decision has been issued yet. At the same time, HUD is under scrutiny for possibly violating that injunction. This week’s update also explains why Congress cannot use budget reconciliation to quietly strip civil service protections, and how the “Byrd Bath” recently removed anti-worker provisions from the GOP’s flagship bill.

Read the full legal update here>>

CALLS TO ACTION

» Are you a probationary employee? Please fill out this cryptpad form to let us know whether you have received your updated SF-50. We are collecting responses to use in a letter to Judge Alsup reporting HHS's noncompliance with his court order.

» Support the CDC Mutual Aid fund by making a tax-deductible donation on the group’s new Zeffy fundraising page.

» Did you miss the ACIP protest on Wednesday? You can watch the whole thing as recorded by a Reuters journalist.

» Looking to stay sharp and productive while job hunting? Volunteer with Fired But Fighting! Check out FBF’s volunteer positions, which offer meaningful experience you can put on your resume.

» Join the CDC Alumni and Friends’ Urgent Action Alert! 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, which are customized for influential elected officials.

» 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 through July 2.

EVENTS

» Friday, June 27 - Do you need to work on your resume? Join us at the Corner Cup Coffee in Tucker from noon to 3:00 pm for encouragement, support, and resume review.

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

» Saturday, July 5 - Tucker Brewing Company from 6 to 9 pm ET: (Un) Happy Hour with music from a band of Rollins staff members, Reinstate Pluto. Plus letter-writing and a free beer on AFGE L2883. Click for details.

QUICK TIPS

» 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.

SELF CARE

On Monday, Associated Press Financial Wellness Reporter, Adriana Morga, published tips for maintaining financial wellness in the midst of job loss. Read it here: Tips for caring for yourself and your finances after a layoff | AP News

UNION CORNER

» With the preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of Executive Order 14251 (preserving collective bargaining rights for federal workers), AFGE Local 2883 is moving quickly to take full advantage of this momentum. If you’re in a job series seeking to join the bargaining unit, join our open organizing meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET, where we’ll map out our current position and plan next steps. Sign up here to receive the meeting link and explore our new petitions page for more information.

» If you’ve been impacted by a RIF and are on administrative leave, your voice still matters, and your involvement is vital. You are still a federal employee, and you’re still included in the petitioning effort. Signing the petition interest form and helping with outreach can directly benefit you, your job series, and the broader union effort. Your participation strengthens our case to bring your series into the bargaining unit, supports your colleagues, and builds the collective power we need to fight for protections, restorations, and real workplace justice.

CAREER RESOURCES

» WellFed provides comprehensive support for current and former federal employees and contractors during a career transition.

» Pathways Forward is a private, peer-led space for those impacted by transitions within HHS. It is meant as a space for a “soft landing and strategic relaunch.”

» The American Public Health Association (APHA) has an extensive job board.

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

NEW: FIRED AND THRIVING

Having been RIF’d after nearly two decades at CDC, Dr. Sarah DeGue founded Violence Prevention Solutions, LLC to bring top-tier public health expertise to communities working to prevent violence. She and her team of former scientists from CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention, including Dr. Vi Donna Le, Dr. Megan Kearns, Dr. Lianne Fuino Estefan, and Dr. Colleen Ray, offer strategic consulting, training, and technical assistance, with particular expertise in evidence-based strategies to prevent sexual and intimate partner violence. They also provide specialized support for communities implementing Dating MattersⓇ, CDC’s comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model.

“Leaving government doesn’t mean leaving impact behind.” Dr. DeGue says. “You can still lead, still serve, and still drive public health forward–just from a different seat at the table.”

Learn how Violence Prevention Solutions, LLC, can support your community www.violencepreventionsolutions.com

Do you have a Fired and Thriving story or idea? Please send it to info@firedbutfighting.org.