Issue 30
^federal workers right now
BREAKING NEWS
» Welcome to Week 2 of the government shutdown. Today (10/9), the Senate met for the 7th time since the shutdown began to vote on bills to fund the government, but none passed. The House of Representatives remains out of session until Mike Johnson grows a spine (so don’t expect them to return anytime soon). Meanwhile, republicans remain in disarray about their shutdown strategy.
» On the worker front, while federal workers and their families have been threatened with more RIFs and to have backpay withheld, many are calling on Congress to hold the line and protect our democracy.
» This is the 30th. F*cking. Newsletter. That’s how long this has been going on. Regardless, we’re proud to continue bringing you this service. Please consider supporting us by making a donation or grabbing some FBF merch.
PS: The original Snuggles for Science bears are back until October 15.
WELCOME
Welcome to the 30th 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 previous issues of the newsletter on the web.
LEGAL UPDATES
The legal team is now tracking a new lawsuit filed by AFGE to stop any new RIFs during the shutdown currently being threatened by OMB and the White House. The case has been reassigned to Judge Susan Illston, who is also managing the original AFGE case against the RIFs across the federal government. This week's legal update includes information and upcoming deadlines for this case, along with other federal lawsuits challenging the RIFs, the appeal of the summary judgment for the probie case, and the empty (so far) threats to federal employee jobs and pay while the congressional jackass carousel continues.
SHUTDOWN & FURLOUGH RESOURCES
There are many unanswered questions about the ongoing government shutdown. We’ve added a shutdown section to the FBF resources page to help support you.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Mobilize and sign up to attend the NO KINGS rally on October 18 at 10am ET.
» Take action with Defend Public Health. Continue to contact members of congress and encourage them to stand firm on the budget. You can also help fill Senator Wyden’s Finance Committee inbox to provide a clear and strong message that the public health community does NOT support RFK Jr. or his policies
» Join the team that keeps protests safe and organized. Two marshal training sessions are being offered on October 9 at 6pm ET and October 12 at 3pm ET. Download the flyer.
» Attend the Healthbeat live storytelling event on November 3, featuring the voices of people working on issues related to community health in Atlanta. Register on Eventbrite to attend. If you can’t make it, consider sharing your story via one of these outlets instead:
Healthbeat is accepting stories about why public health work matters through October 15. Reach out to community@healthbeat.org.
The Washington Post is gathering stories from federal workers about their experiences. Contact fedworkers@washpost.org for more information.
» Get involved with The Federal Unionists’ Network, a collective of organizers, volunteers, and community members across multiple unions and agencies.
» Want to learn how to advocate for public health? The Health Advocacy Training and Collaboration Hub (HATCH) provides Advocacy 101 training and more for feds.
» Support the Kickstarter campaign for The Middle of Everything, a public health-focused animated TV show created by a group of current and former EIS and LLS officers.
» 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? We especially need help with volunteer coordination and finance.
EVENTS
» October 10: Networking Strategies Webinar from 12:00 to 1:00 pm: Join Pathways Forward and FBF/NPHC for the 2nd in a 3-part webinar series. Discover how to build meaningful connections, leverage social platforms, and approach informational interviews to expand your opportunities. Register here: http://bit.ly/4q6orMG
» October 17: Leveraging and Expanding Your Community from 12:00 to 1:00 pm: Join Pathways Forward and FBF/NPHC for discussion about how to use community building as a design-thinking strategy. Register here: http://bit.ly/3Wgh9Ix.
October 10
FREE ENTRY TO FIRED AND FURLOUGHED CDC STAFF and their 16+ kids. Use code CDC for 100% off. Register>
TBD
Rage room event TBD
October 11-12
Atlanta PRIDE is this weekend
October 18
After the No Kings march, head to the DeKalb Tennis Center for a CDC Pickleball Social from 3:00 to 4:30. Sign up here: Pickleball!!
October 25
Join AFGE L2883 for a Solidarity Saturday at Napoleon’s Grill from 2:00 to 5:00. RSVP here.
CAREER RESOURCES
» There are many career-related events coming up. These include a number of in-person job fairs and networking/co-working opportunities, as well as an interviewing skills workshop, and much more. You can also find new resources and job boards in this week’s newsletter.
» Reminder to join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff Group and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn.
» Check out this week’s Career Corner for details and to register for upcoming events.
WEEKLY 27 uNIHted
Fed Coffee Hour
If you’ve been fired, reinstated, on admin leave, don’t know your employment status, or are worried about being RIF’d, come join fellow feds who *get it* for an hour of camaraderie in Northern Virginia. Download the flyer.
Food Drive
NIH Food Drive for Shutdown-Affected Communities. This Saturday at 10:00 am at Medical Center Metro.
» 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
» If you receive RIF notices or separation notices during the shutdown, please contact us immediately at rif@afge2883ga.org.
» For staff who are told their RAs are canceled or denied, please contact us at ra@afge2883ga.org. We can support members with filing an EEOC complaint if needed.
» You can find more information about RAs on our website.
» 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 commissioned corps officers.
CDC MUTUAL AID
» Join us in celebrating our latest milestone! CDC Mutual Aid Network has been able to deliver more than $41,000 to help 43 terminated CDC staff and their families! Join us in our mission to support CDC staff and the CDC community.
» Donate or share our message at www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate.
» Check out our new store! The perfect place to find Halloween-themed CDC merch, Save CDC signs, and more.
» Find resources like our new Shutdown Survival Guide at www.cdcresourceportal.org/resources.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
*jump scare warning*
Elle Cordova’s Instagram rendition of the “Monster Slash”
» To submit a spoon (e.g., spooning pets, spoon tattoos, your favorite spoon) for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org using “spoon of the week submission” in the subject line.
SELF CARE
» Technologists for the Public Good is partnering with Empower Work to offer free, confidential counseling sessions. Check out their website for details.
» Ark Coffeehaus on Tilly Mill Road in Chamblee is offering a 15% discount during the shutdown. Just show your government ID.
» Highland Yoga is offering 2 free weeks of unlimited yoga for new members who are CDC employees. Use promo code CDCWELCOME to sign up.
» WorkLife4You is a resource for free will planning and other services for federal employees. To request legal help, click “Get Expert Help” on the right menu and fill out “Submit a Request”. You should get a reply within a few days.
» The Georgia Library System offers a multitude of free resources for Georgia residents. Check out some of the highlights below.
Libby - Access thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, all with your free library card.
Experience Passes - Explore educational and recreational opportunities across Georgia while saving money
Library Resources that you can use anywhere - Includes help with legal tasks, career services, tools to learn a new language and conduct research, and more.
» Fill your feed with CUTE:
Have you met Chunk the Groundhog?
Follow ThatGoodNewsGirl, who posts something positive every day.
Tune out the news and tune into Webcams in the Wild.
FIRED AND THRIVING
» Global Health Shield, a start-up created by former USAID staff, is engaging peers and others affected by DOGE to come together to strengthen health systems, engage the private sector, and support medical infrastructure. If this sounds like your jam and you’d like to volunteer, reach out to globalhealthshield.org/contact.
» To submit a Fired and Thriving story for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org using “thriving” in the subject line.
FBF In the News
» October 6: Unions Ask Court to Save Fed Workers’ Jobs Amid Shutdown | Law360
» October 2: Y’all be nice to our CDC neighbors in ATL! ATL Democrats (Instagram Reel)
