Issue 21

Aug 7

Welcome to the 21st issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

BREAKING NEWS

» FBF + 27 uNIHted are hosting virtual MSPB appeals parties on August 11 and 12 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm ET. These events are open to ALL federal agency staff. Please share this flyer with your colleagues.

» DEI Watchlist Exposé: Several very brave feds, including some of our Fired But Fighting colleagues, spoke out about the American Accountability Foundation’s DEI watchlist. Read the Reuters article.

» CDC’s Publications On Demand will close in September 2025. The last day for orders is August 15th, 2025. Please spread the word to public health partners!

» Get yours before we sell out: 🟩 Green lanyards are still available. Outside print: “CDC Saves Lives.” Inside print: “Resist and Persist.” In addition to helping us fight the good fight, 10% of funds raised go to CDC Mutual Aid.

» Cuts REMOVED from FY26 budget (for now): In a bipartisan bill, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee has maintained NIH and CDC budgets. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a vote. CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES and reiterate how important it is for CDC to be fully funded. The Senate is in session now; when the House returns from recess, they have 30 days to come to an agreement.

LEGAL UPDATES

» We now have an MSPB appeal resources page on our website. It includes links to the relevant regulations, administrative processes, research briefs, and news articles that you can use to build your appeal. If you were separated on July 14, the deadline to file an MSPB appeal is August 13. This week's legal update also includes updates on lawsuits challenging the RIFs, probationary terminations, and congressional appropriations.

Read the full legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

» Support Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee communities by taking one of the specific actions on this list, compiled by the 285 South newsletter team.

» Urgent Care is a new Substack on the attacks on public health. CDC colleagues are encouraged to contribute. Learn more: https://jackiewolf1.substack.com/about.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting. Looking to stay sharp and productive while job hunting? Sign up to volunteer.

» Share Your Story! We’re looking for #FedWorkerFriday contributors for Bluesky and Instagram. Public or anonymous. DM Aryn on Signal (@aryn.22) if you’re interested.

EVENTS

» August 8, 2025: FBF Virtual Coffee Break, 10:00 to 11:00 am ET - Grab your favorite mug and join fellow former feds for a low-key virtual coffee hour. Our focus will be on job-seeking and careers. Join us via Google Meet.

» August 8, 2025: 27 uNIHted Happy Hour, 5:00 pm ET - Meet the friendly faces behind 27 uNIHted, build your network, and enjoy great company (and great weather!). Remember, happy doesn't have to be just an hour! Register here.

» August 10, 2025: FBF Sign-Making Party / (Un) Happy Hour, 12:00 to 2:30 pm - Grab a beer and some posterboard, and get ready for the CDC Support Rally (special soapbox edition) and the Sound Science Saves Lives demonstration. Details here.

» August 11 and 12, 2025: Virtual MSPB Appeal Party, 5:00 to 8:30 pm ET - Fired But Fighting and 27 uNIHted are hosting two virtual sessions to help federal employees from any agency file their individual MSPB appeals. Get resources, tips, and peer support as you work on your submission. Register here.

» August 12, 2025: FBF Special Edition Support Rally, 12:00 pm ET - We’ll be gathering outside the CDC Roybal campus at noon on Tuesday for a special edition of the support rally. Current and former staff are encouraged to share their personal experience amidst RIFs and slashed budgets. Details here.

» August 14, 2025: 27 uNIHTed Peer Empowerment Call, 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET - Connect with other NIH peers navigating uncertainty. Share space, support, and solidarity. RSVP here.

» August 16, 2025: Sound Science Saves Lives, 10:30 to 11:30 am ET - We’re holding a rally ahead of the annual ISES-ISEE annual meeting to join our colleagues from around the world and demand a return to well-funded, scientifically sound research and public health programming. Details>>

CAREER CORNER

Resume and interview workshops, career assessments, and networking events are coming up in August. New resources include webinars, leadership programs, and Coursera courses. Job boards feature roles in Allegheny County, grant management, and FormerGov’s resume bank.

Read the Career Corner

WEEKLY 27 uNIHted

» The 27 uNIHted website has launched! Explore the new site for information about events, services, partnerships, and more.

» Every Saturday: Vigil commemorating the lives and knowledge lost through NIH cuts. Black attire encouraged. 10 am at the Medical Center Metro.

» 27 uNIHted has a lot of events coming up over the next week, including a peer empowerment, interview prep, and job networking calls, plus MSPB appeal parties. Download the flyer for more info.

» Don’t miss this Friday’s 27 uNIHted Happy Hour. Register here.

» Please follow and share 27 uNIHted’s new Instagram account>>

UNION CORNER

» Please take a few minutes to complete the 2025 AFGE Member Satisfaction Survey. Your input will guide us in responding effectively to current issues and shaping the future of our union.

» AFGE Member Benefits Spotlight: Union members have free access to basic legal services or can upgrade to a higher level of legal service at a discounted price. Learn more here.

Member benefit in action: “Aside from strong representation, one of the best AFGE benefits is the Union Plus Legal Premium Plan. It allowed my wife and me to set up a trust for our children with a licensed attorney, saving us $4,000 in legal fees for just $24 a month.” -AFGE 2883 Member.

» Log in to your member benefits account here. An overview of some of the benefits can be found in the Member Benefits Guide.

CDC MUTUAL AID

Huge thanks to everyone who has been helping with our fundraising efforts! We're now almost 20% of the way to our goal of raising $75,000 by the end of August. Thanks to the support of the CDC community, we have already distributed nearly $15,000 in aid to terminated contractors, probationary employees, and fellows through our fiscal sponsor. Help us keep the momentum going:

» Donate or share our message at www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate.

» Learn more about the CDC Mutual Aid Network, including how to help or what resources may be available to you, at www.cdcresourceportal.org.

FIRED AND THRIVING

Kam Hinson spent over 16 years as a Senior Health Communication Specialist at CDC, contributing to national public health campaigns and emergency response efforts. She was only three years short of reaching full retirement eligibility when, on April 1, she was one of thousands affected by the RIFs.

Rather than retreat, Kam turned her pain into purpose.

A proud University of Florida alum and long-time alum volunteer leader, she was devastated to learn that multicultural student organizations at UF were being dismantled, DEI staff roles eliminated, and Black student groups defunded due to new state policies. It was a familiar story: watching history and culture erased in real time. She took action.

With the support of like-minded Gators, Kam launched Ancestors Dream Initiative (ADI), an independent nonprofit dedicated to sustaining Black student programs, traditions, and safe spaces at UF. Since launching in May, ADI has partnered with the Black Student Union and other campus groups to sponsor cultural events and student-led programs on campus.

“Sadly, I could relate to what it feels like to have something taken from you through no fault of your own,” Kam said. “Our students deserve better, and I wanted them to know: we see you, we hear you, we support you. They should have access to the same joy, tradition, and community that we experienced. Rather than wait on the system to change, I found another way to meet their needs.”

Instagram: @ancestorsdreamUF
Website: www.ancestorsdream.com

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

SELF CARE

» Yoga with Amanda: FREE at the Decatur library on the last Saturday of every month. Download the flyer.

» For those in the Atlanta area, the Rosenfinch Spa is offering 20% off certain facials in the month of August! This spa is a great small business to help out and trust with your self-care. They were even an early supporter of fired feds as far back as February.

» Have you downloaded or subscribed to your free Happiness Calendar for August yet? | Greater Good Science Center

» Each Monday, join WellFed for the weekly Monday Meditation from 1 to 1:30 pm. Hosted weekly by Drew Tye Ruby-Howe (former fed).

» What has helped you through these times? Please send more self-care ideas to info@firedbutfighting.org.