Issue 18

Jul 18

Welcome to the 18th 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, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.

BREAKING NEWS

» As RIFs are carried out across HHS, remember that legal challenges are still in the courts and you have a network of support. Fired But Fighting is (you guessed it) fighting for you and public health every day. Feeling alone? See the events section for ways to stay connected.

» REMINDER: The National Public Health Coalition is here! The Fired But Fighting team has incorporated under the name National Public Health Coalition. We are currently in the process of filing for nonprofit status. Keep an eye out for emails from @nationalphc.org and news about this exciting new chapter.

JUDICIAL UPDATES

» If you are a RIF’d employee with CDC, ASPE, FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, or the Head Start program, you remain on administrative leave. However, most RIF’d HHS employees were separated at close of business on Monday, July 14. If you want to challenge your separation, the approach will depend on your particular situation. You can read more on how to proceed in this week's legal update.

Read the full legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

» Stop Bad Bills! Call or write to your elected representatives about the proposed rescissions and budget. Remember, anyone can use these scripts, and the volume matters - so please share widely!

Want to learn more about non-cooperation, community organizing, and designing campaigns? Sign up to join the One Million Rising virtual training series hosted by Indivisible on Wednesday evenings in July and August.

Looking for a meaningful way to support your community? The Sandwich Project needs drivers to help pick up and deliver food across the city. Even 1-2 hours a month helps! Email drivers@thesandwichproject.org to sign up or learn more information here.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting. Looking to stay sharp and productive while job hunting? Sign up to volunteer. We especially need volunteers to assist with fundraising and financial operations!

» Share Your Story! We’re looking for stories from fired feds to feature on the Fired But Fighting social media channels as part of our Fed Worker Friday series. You can share your story publicly or anonymously. Search #FedWorkerFriday on Instagram or Bluesky to see previous features. If you’re interested, DM Aryn on Signal - @aryn.22.

EVENTS

» Tuesday, July 22, 2025 – Fired But Fighting is hosting a Virtual Game Night & (Un) Happy Hour. Grab a cocktail and your game face. ⌛ Click to register and get the link.

» Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Join us in person or virtually to work on your latest crafty project, bitch about current affairs, and enjoy drinks & snacks at the first Stitch and Bitch. RSVP to Abby T on Signal (art.834) for the address and/or link.

» Saturday, July 26, 2025 – AFGE L2883 is hosting a Solidarity Saturday event from 2 – 5 at Chattahoochee Food Works. Open to current, former, and hopeful members. RSVP here: current, former, and hopeful union members. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP.

» Sunday, August 3, 2025 – (Un) Happy Hour at Round Trip Brewing in Atlanta from 2 – 5. Attendees will receive a green “CDC Saves Lives” badge lanyard. Click for details.

QUICK TIP

Fired probationary employees learned a LOT over the last six months. If you’re newly RIF’d or think you might be, check this one-pager of quick tips and lessons learned.

SELF CARE

» Take a little time to marvel at the Moments of Nature playlist from CBS Sunday Morning.

» Monday, July 21, 2025 - Join WellFed for the weekly Monday Meditation from 1-1:30 pm. Start your week feeling centered with a meditation hosted weekly by Drew Tye Ruby-Howe (former fed). Find details on FBF’s community calendar or WellFed’s website.

For more resources, please visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network.

UNION CORNER

» Tell Congress NO to union-busting. We have the votes we need to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the House of Representatives. And we have a new way to get this bill to a vote. Congress can do it with a tool called a “discharge petition,” which skips all the political procedures and shenanigans and brings a bill quickly to the floor for a vote. But we need every single member of Congress who says they support America’s unions to sign Discharge Petition #6, offered by Rep. Jared Golden, right now. Use 5 Calls to make your voice heard

» AFGE has benefits you might not be aware of.

Explore the extensive list of discounts and programs in the AFGE Member Benefits Guide. Benefits and discounts include legal and representational support, insurance discounts, health and wellness support, wireless plan discounts, tire and car care discounts, travel and moving perks, and financial assistance.

CDC MUTUAL AID

PLEASE HELP PROMOTE OUR NEW FUNDRAISING PAGE! We’re working hard to meet our fundraising goal of $75,000 by the end of August, and we need all the help we can get. You can use our new social media toolkit to amplify our message through your social media channels and reach friends, community, groups, and others about this important cause. Feel free to modify it with your own message.

You can also find resources for CDC FTEs, fellows, and contractors, as well as apply for financial assistance, at cdcresourceportal.org.

CAREER CORNER

» July 18, 2025 - WellFed is hosting a virtual Friday coworking session from 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET. This is dedicated time for apprenticeships and career pathways. Find details on FBF’s community calendar or WellFed’s website.

» Saturday, July 19, 2025: Pathways Forward Partner Event: Government Contracting. Join to learn the steps to becoming a Federal contractor and explore the latest opportunities available to small businesses. Register here.

» Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - Virtual Career Fair hosted by Civic Match Live. Participating state and local governments will be actively hiring for a variety of roles across the public health space. This event is open to job seekers with a Civic Match account. Create an account and register.

Thursday, July 24 - Attend the Career Expo for Current and Former Feds. This virtual career expo is open to any current or former federal employee who wants to continue a career in public service in state and local government.

» Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Interviewing Skills Workshop. Prince George’s County’s Training and Education Team is hosting a virtual workshop. Regi s ter here.

» Webinar Replay: Your Public Health Job Search: Networking.» On July 8, APHA hosted a helpful webinar on the essentials of networking, including strategies and how to leverage LinkedIn.

» Take advantage of targeted resume banks. Civic Match is one such platform. It is a nonpartisan program connecting mission-driven professionals with meaningful roles in state and local governments across the country.

» The Fired But Fighting LinkedIn group is a great place to stay up to date on the latest public health jobs. Check it out regularly for new postings.

WEEKLY uNIHted

If you’re in DC, you can join the uNIHted for a vigil EVERY Saturday at 10 am at the Medical Center Metro. Black attire is encouraged.

Please FOLLOW and SHARE uNIHted’s new Instagram account>>

FIRED AND THRIVING

In these times of unanticipated career transition and closed doors, sometimes the proverbial window really does open. We public health public servants are nothing if not resilient, and many of us have looked to new callings and other ways to share our knowledge, skills, and talents. Have you or someone you know found a way to come out of this THRIVING? Fired But Fighting is looking for more Fired and Thriving stories to inspire and light the way for others.

Please send more Fired and Thriving story ideas to info@firedbutfighting.org