Welcome to the 24th 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.

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Well, folks, it’s been another dumpster fire of a week. CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired after refusing to support RFK’s anti-vaccine initiatives. Several senior leaders, including Drs. Deb Houry, Demetre Daskalakis, and Dan Jernigan, resigned shortly thereafter, unable to continue working amidst rampant, anti-science, political interference. Visit our home page to read *Fired But Fighting’s official statement*.

BREAKING NEWS

» About 8888 Many HHS employees received notice that their BUS code (Box 37) on their SF-50 has changed to '8888,' meaning they are ineligible for a bargaining unit. This does NOT mean you are ineligible for union membership. Your local union chapter is still active, independent, and committed to representing its members. CDC employees can read L2883's statement here. More importantly, both AFGE and NTEU are fighting in court to restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees. Read more in this week’s legal update.

» RJK Jr. ally deputy Jim O’Neill picked to lead CDC after former head’s ouster | CBS News

» CDC director is out after less than a month; other agency leaders resign | NPR

» Blue States That Sued Kept Most CDC Grants, While Red States Feel Brunt of Trump Clawbacks | KFF Health News

» As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered. | KFF Health News

» Special Edition Merch: We’re headed to DC to make Congress listen. Support our trip through special edition FRFKJ gear and more.

Shop Specials

SAVE HHS LETTER

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. If you haven’t already done so, please add your name and share widely. We are accepting signatures through Wednesday, September 3. As of August 29, there were over 6,600 signatures.

LEGAL UPDATES

» RIF'd CDC and ASPE employees who were separated last week have until September 17 to file their MSPB appeals. If you want to work with an attorney to file or help manage your appeal, there are a number of legal options available. At CDC, most units have a legal POC who can provide you with consolidated information about the different legal representation options as well. To find out your legal POC, please contact legal@firedbutfighting.org.

» There are webinars on filing your appeal and managing discovery and the hearing through Tully Rinckey, in addition to upcoming workshops on filing an e-appeal. While we do not endorse any specific option, we do encourage seeking legal representation to ensure a united and consolidated approach with your unit as you file your appeals. This week's legal update has all this info, plus updates on federal lawsuits challenging the RIFs, probationary terminations, and the elimination of federal employee collective bargaining rights.

READ THE LEGAL UPDATE

CALLS TO ACTION

» Support the FEMA Katrina Declaration. Read and sign their statement of solidarity here.

» Consider donating to the GoFundMe for Alayna Rose, Officer David Rose’s daughter.

» If you received an updated SF-50 indicating you’re ineligible for union membership (8888), please note that the union isn’t going anywhere. Consider joining if you have not already, and continue paying your dues if you are able to do so.

» Take action to support the CDC Injury Center. The Keep America Safe Coalition has a list of actions to help support this effort.

» CDC Alumni encourage everyone to contact their representatives and senators/influential members of Congress, e.g., Senator Cassidy, to disavow the vilification of federal employees, disavow the spread of public health misinformation, and share other thoughts on the attack.

» 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

» 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

» 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.

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

CAREER RESOURCES

There are lots of career-related events happening in the coming week, including events from our partners at wellfed, Pathways Forward, AARP, and others. New resources include tailored 1:1 resume support, courses from the Public Service Leadership Institute, and more.

READ THE CAREER CORNER

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

» Many CDC employees had their BUS code (Box 37) on their SF-50 changed to “8888”, meaning they are ineligible for a bargaining unit. This is NOT the same thing as being ineligible for union membership in AFGE Local 2883. This is a classic union-busting tactic: making it difficult and confusing to navigate union membership and organize effectively.

» You might be asking if 8888 means you need to cancel dues. Or if being separated means you should cancel. The answer is absolutely not (unless you have financial reasons to). That's what the administration is trying to do, to weaken us with less members and dues. If you can’t pay dues, we have other ways you can get involved, contact us for more information.

» Your dues continue to support the major legal challenges to fight unjust terminations, harmful reorgs, union busting, and any further destabilizing, illegal actions. We continue to support all our members, whether it is individual representation, access to information and collective actions, and so much more.

» All CDC staff, including those on admin leave, those separated, retirees, any job series and any BUS codes (including supervisors), can join AFGE Local 2883 as dues-paying members. The only exception is the commissioned corps.

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

JOIN NOW VIA SECURE E-DUES

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

SPOON OF THE WEEK

SELF CARE

» Looking for something fun (and free) to do this weekend? Check out this list of Free & Cheap things to do in Atlanta.

» Each Monday, join wellfed for the weekly Monday Meditation from 1 to 1:30 pm. Hosted weekly by Drew Tye Ruby-Howe (former fed). Find details and the link to join either on wellfed’s website.

**Suggestion from a colleague’s therapist:**

“On the advice of my EAP counselor, and after Officer David Rose's memorial service yesterday, and all the trauma directed at us since Trump was elected, my feelings have been flooding into each other. I found myself unable to compartmentalize. I made this shoebox diorama this morning. I'm surprised how therapeutic it's been already. I write 1-2 sentences, or even just a word, on a small piece of paper, fold it, and in it goes. Just wanted to share in case anyone might find it helpful. Your emotions might be different than mine, so label however you want. I made little compartments inside, too, to keep the feelings separated.”

» 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.

» Reclaim Counseling & Workshops is offering a 12-week support group for CDC staff who identify as women. The cost is $50/session, and spots are available on a sliding scale 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.

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