Issue 23

Aug 22

Welcome to the 23rd 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.

Today, Officer David Rose was laid to rest. We’ll always remember the sacrifice he made to keep our friends and colleagues safe. The GoFundMe for his family is still live if you would like to make a donation. If you’d like to contribute in another way, consider bringing fresh flowers to his memorial site outside the Roybal campus.

So many of us are still trying to process the trauma from that day and everything leading up to it. The few remaining staff in DVP put together a resource package, but were ultimately not allowed to disseminate it. But F that, and here ya go: CDC Staff Support.

BREAKING NEWS

Kennedy Must Accept Accountability

Fired But Fighting is proud to have partnered with 27 uNIHted, CDC Alumni and Friends, Save Health Research, and many public health experts to send a signed letter to RFKJ and Congress. We are demanding work environments free from violence, accountability for leaders and policymakers who choose to put American lives in danger, and public health leaders who tell the American people the truth. If you haven’t already, please add your name and share widely. As of 6:30 pm on August 22, there were 4,148 signatures.

» Less than two weeks after the 0808 attack, the RIFs of over 600 CDC staff were unceremoniously finalized. Please review the Navigating Separation: Compassionate Guide for CDC Employees. Fired But Fighting, CDC Mutual Aid, and AFGE L2883 are here to support you as much as possible. You can view our shared resource page here. Other helpful documents include, Quick Tips: Lessons Learned from Fired Probies and What to Know When Filing for Unemployment Benefits.

» On August 21, we learned that the 0808 shooter likely tried to enter CDC’s campus two days before he attacked agency | WABE

LEGAL UPDATES

» Separation notices began going out this week to some RIF’d CDC and ASPE employees not covered by the narrowed injunction in the NY v. Kennedy case. A group of RIF’d CDC staffers has been working collectively on a joint strategy to appeal to the MSPB. Please reach out to legal@nationalphc.org if you need to be connected to that effort. This week's legal update includes information on appealing your separation with the MSPB, updates on federal lawsuits challenging the RIFs and probie terminations, and the current status of lawsuits to restore collective bargaining rights.

Read the Update

CALLS TO ACTION

» Support the American Public and HHS Employees. Sign the open letter to RFK Jr. calling out his part in dismantling our public health infrastructure and endangering public health. More information about the Save HHS Campaign here.

» Protect PSLF for public servants. Submit your comment opposing employer eligibility restrictions on the new federal register notice. The comment period ends September 17 at 11:59 pm ET. Find more information about this proposed rule in this article.

» Condemn RFK’s Attacks on Vaccines, Research, and the Autism Community. Call your representatives to oppose the secretary’s dangerous actions. Use 5 Calls to find contact information.

» Visit this Thanks to the Public Health Workforce Kudoboard to read and add positive messages to folks working in public health.

» Stand up for science. Use this link to send a “quack-o-gram” to your House representative demanding RFK's resignation.

» 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.

» 🟩 Support Fired But Fighting: Make a donation.

» 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.

EVENTS

» August 24, 2025: (Un) Happy Hour from 2:00 to 5:00 pm ET. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, folks, and we could use some community time. The next get-together is at the new Wild Heaven/Fox Bros spot in North Druid Hills. We’ll have CDC Saves Lives tees for sale on site.

Details>>

» August 27, 2025: Amicus Briefs 101, 1 pm ET - Join us for an in-depth workshop on amicus briefs. An amicus brief, or "friend of the court" brief, is a legal document filed by a non-litigant who has a strong interest in the subject matter of a lawsuit. Register here.

» If we hosted a rage room event, would you come?

CAREER RESOURCES

Resume development, a webinar on interviewing strategies, as well as several in-person workshops are coming up over the next week and into September. New resources include 1:1 tailored resume support, a resource guide for civil servants impacted by RIFs, and many resources from groups like AAA and AARP.

More Resources

WEEKLY 27 UNIHTED

» 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

» Don’t Believe Them. We’re Still a Union. HHS informed some reporters (not Local 2883 leadership) that they plan to no longer recognize us as a union. To this we say: that’s very funny. We are still here, operating as a democratic institution to build the power of CDC workers. The recently lifted injunction on Executive Order 14251 threatens our ability to represent non-dues-paying members through collective bargaining. We expect to win in court and resume our collective bargaining and petitioning efforts. Until then, we are able to continue providing representational assistance and support to our members even if our local is temporarily unrecognized by CDC.

» 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.

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

Join now via secure E-Dues

Join

CDC MUTUAL AID

Stand with CDC Mutual Aid as we work to support our public health workforce:

» Donate or share our message at www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate.
» Find resources available through CDC Mutual Aid Network, including resources for survivors of gun violence, at www.cdc resource portal.org/resources.
» Follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/cdc-mutual-aid-network

FIRED AND THRIVING

A Visual Information Specialist at CDC, Alyssa was part of the 4/1/25 RIF. Soon after, she put her heart and soul into designing inspirationally-messaged tees at selfcareshirts.com. Recently, she added more daring designs at boldprotest.com. Her goal is to build a movement around mental health and resistance with her brands, putting to use her background in graphic design, web design and development, and degrees in marketing & digital strategy. All sales generate a 10% donation pool for some of Alyssa’s favorite causes, including 988, The Trevor Project, Fired But Fighting, and CDC Mutual Aid. Both shops are brand new since May, but she’s starting to hit the break-even point already and is looking to grow her business. And if you don’t want another t-shirt, check out her other self-care gifts, including posters and stickers.

Says Alyssa, “I’ve poured my heart, my art, and my lived experience into every product—because I believe that healing isn’t selfish, it’s revolutionary.” She adds, “I believe in myself and still want to do good and contribute to public health, even if no longer employed at CDC.”

Check out Alyssa’s merch store sites, boldprotest.com and selfcareshirts.com

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

SELF CARE

» So nice, we’ll say it twice: Visit this Thanks to the Public Health Workforce Kudoboard to read and add positive messages to folks working in public health.

» Looking for a laugh? Check out this post on Reddit: You best not mess with CDC 😤

» Join the wellfed team each Monday from 1:00 -1:30 pm EDT for their weekly Monday meditation session. Find details and the link to join either on wellfed’s website, or the Fired But Fighting community calendar.

» Take a free class at Barre 3 Brookhaven through August 31, open to CDC staff, public health workers, and law enforcement. More information here.

» Reclaim Counseling & Workshops is offering a 12-week support group for CDC staff who identify as women. Cost is $50/session with sliding scale spots available based on need. See the flyer for more information.

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

Yoga with Amanda: FREE at the Decatur library on the last Saturday of every month. Download the flyer.
Free restorative yoga class at The Intown Retreat every Monday at 7:30 pm. Use code RESTORECDC at checkout.

» 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.