Issue 22

Written By Sarah Boim

The 0808 Attack on CDC

The 0808 attack on CDC was the direct result of years of the politicization of science and the deliberate spreading of misinformation by prominent anti-vaxx influencers, most notably RFKJ. We are calling for his immediate resignation. 

Fired But Fighting exists to fight for our public health infrastructure and workforce - for YOU. We are doing everything we can to answer that call. Please visit the CDC Strong 0808 document>> to view our official statement, get mental health resources, read media coverage driven by our outreach, and learn how you can help fight back.

If you’re ready, please read an insightful and moving Dear Decaturish letter from Jessica Rogers-Brown, one of our colleagues. Dear Decaturish — Silence is the loudest thing in the room.

Welcome to the 22nd 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.

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

OTHER BREAKING NEWS

» HHS reinstates task force on safer childhood vaccines | Reuters

» Official HHS Statement: HHS Revives Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines

LEGAL UPDATES

» Judge DuBose has granted HHS’s petition to narrow the injunction in the NY v. Kennedy case. The revised injunction covers only (1) FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products; (2) Office of Head Start; (3) CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention (NCHHSTP), Division of Reproductive Health (DRH), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), and National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD); and (4) ASPE’s Division of Data and Technical Analysis. Read more about this development and updates to other cases in this week's legal update.

 

CALLS TO ACTION

» Sign the Change.org petition developed by the FBF Team, which makes four key requests to Congress and HHS Leadership | Protect Public Health Employees from Continued Threats, Harassment, and Targeting

» Take action before you start your day. Updates in the NY vs. Kennedy case leave our RIF'd CDC colleagues vulnerable to separation. Call your Senator to oppose the dismantling of CDC within days of a violent attack on campus. Use 5 Calls to find contact information.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? 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. 

» Support Fired But Fighting:  Check out our store for current merch at: https://firedbutfighting.org/shop. Items are on sale until August 18 and will be delivered by September 4.

 

EVENTS

August 15, 2025: Sign-Making Party

6:30 to 8:00 pm ET - To prepare for Sound Science Saves Lives, we're hosting a sign-making party at Lost Druid in Avondale Estates. 

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 RESOURCES

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.

WEEKLY 27 uNIHted

» Explore 27 uNIHted’s new website 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.

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

UNION CORNER

» All BUS codes (including supervisors), including 7777, 1872, and 8888, can join AFGE Local 2883 as dues-paying members. The only exception is the commissioned corps.

» IMPORTANT UPDATE: While the Executive Order stripping unions of collective bargaining rights is still being litigated, membership is more important than ever. Right now, BUEs are only protected if they’re dues-paying members. If reassigned to BUS code 8888, you lose negotiated rights, and we can’t track or represent you UNLESS you're a member. 

» You need to be a member before you run into a workplace issue that requires representation.

Join now via secure E-Dues

» Learn more about membership & benefits: https://www.afge2883ga.org/membersfaqs

» Big win for 2883 on 8/14: We issued a call to action for CDC employees to submit tickets requesting that 2883 have a seat at the table in the OSSAM Workplace Safety Subcommittee, and within hours of your submissions, we got the invite. You made this happen. This is collective action in motion, and it is working. 

» 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 over 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 more than $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.

*NEW* SPOONS OF THE WEEK

Introducing the Spoon of the Week. Send us your spoons! To submit a spoon (e.g., spooning pets, spoon tattoos, your favorite spoon) for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.

Here are a few to kick us off:

» Buzzfeed has a quiz for you - find out which spoon you are.

 

SELF CARE

» Take one of these free yoga classes to destress and recenter: 

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

» 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.

FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS

See the 0808 document to read Fired But Fighting-driven media coverage of the attack last Friday.

 

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Sarah Boim https://www.smallsitesbysarah.com
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Issue 21