BREAKING NEWS

» After 42 days, the longest government sh*tdown in U.S. history is over, but not everything is back to normal. Many employees began returning to work today, but rescissions have not gone out yet for staff RIF’d during the shutdown. Back pay for HHS employees is expected to be processed by November 16.

» The Trump Administration has started to target public servants for sharing information with the public. It has been reported that individuals at the NIH and USDA have been placed on administrative leave in retaliation for notifying the public about illegal and dangerous actions taken by political leadership within their agencies. You can support these individuals by sharing their messages and contacting your representatives to demand that these individuals' whistleblower rights be protected.

» Maine sought federal help amid its longest HIV outbreak in state history. It’s still waiting. | The Boston Globe

» Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low after Trump Cuts | ProPublica

» Federal employees are reporting major workplace disruptions at nearly triple the national average | Federal News Network

» The Epidemiologists are Running for Office | The Atlantic

Welcome to the 35th 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.

This newsletter is created by a group of dedicated volunteers. Please consider supporting us by making a donation, grabbing some FBF merch or signing up to volunteer. We’re especially looking for a volunteer coordinator and newsletter writer/editors.

various Fired But Fighting merchandise, including new products like a CDC zombie apocalypse tee and a “we believe" tote bag — Planning for your wallet to get a little heavier post-furlough? Check off your gift list at the FBF merch store.

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

LEGAL UPDATES

It has been a wild week on the legal front. Last week, probationary employees received a “correction” letter from HHS stating that they were not fired due to performance, as ordered by Judge Alsup as part of a final ruling for the AFGE, AFL-CIO v. OPM case. The government is reopened. Congress finally grew a spine and mandated that the Executive rescind the RIFs issued during the shutdown, give everyone back pay, and not RIF anyone else until at least January 30, when we potentially get back on the jackass carousel. This week's legal update provides details on the probationary employee legal cases, the continuing resolution, and the lawsuits affecting the many RIFs across HHS. Read the full legal update here.

Legal Update

SHUTDOWN & RIF RESOURCES

Although this shutdown is over, general and Georgia-specific shutdown and RIF resources are still available on the FBF resources page.

Now Live: Furloughed or Fired Side-Hustle Talent Marketplace

» FBF hosts a searchable side-hustle-style marketplace to help connect fired feds with folks who want to support federal workers. Search the Furloughed or Fired Talent Marketplace for services like dog-walking, tutoring, meal prep, and more. Sign up here to be included. NOTE: This is an external resource available to the general public. The marketplace is open to furloughed feds catching up on bills through Thanksgiving.

» Are you in Atlanta and worried about housing, groceries, or utility services? Visit the ATL Cares Resource List, review this list of places to receive free food or donate to an organization providing free food in metro Atlanta.

» Oh, heyyyyy…we feel seen. Helping their own: CDC workers build a safety net from within | Healthbeat

RESOURCES

CALLS TO ACTION

» Are you an employee, contractor, or fellow recently separated from CDC? The CDC WISE Survey needs your feedback. Led by Dr. Greta Massetti, a former CDC-er, this anonymous 20-minute survey will inform efforts to support separated employees. Contact INSPIRElab@gsu.edu with questions.

» In the absence of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, AFGE and the Partnership for Public Service launched the Public Service Viewpoint Survey, open through December 19. Learn more and take the survey on their website.

flyer for We Love Buford Highway’s Sugar and Spice Drive, including what is needed, how to help, and drop off locations for supplies

» We Love Buford Highway is sponsoring a Sugar and Spice [Food] Drive for our Buford Highway neighbors. Consider donating if you are able.

» This week, Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom launched the “We Ain’t Buying It” campaign to fight back against corporations that have colluded with this administration. Take action by not shopping at major stores between November 28 and December 2. Read the campaign press release to learn more.

» Take a moment to read last Friday’s edition of the Your Local Epidemiologist substack, “A good defense demands offense”, for suggestions on how to reimagine our ongoing fight for public health.

Casa Alterna: Training for Compas at the Gates of ICE — *Training for Compas at the Gates of ICE*

» Casa Alterna is looking for volunteers to support our immigrant neighbors entering the Atlanta ICE field office. Training will be held Nov. 21 at 9:00 am ET

» 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. We’re especially looking for volunteer coordinators and finance folks.

EVENTS

» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.

(Un) Happy Hour event flyer Nov 15th 2025 — (UN) HAPPY HOUR Nov 15th

» With the sh*tdown down the sh*tter, we bet you could really use a drink. Let’s raise a toast to our resilience this Saturday at Roundtrip Brewing from noon to 3:00 pm ET. 1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW.

» November 17 at 6pm & 7pm ET: CDC Feds-Giving. The CDC Mutual Aid Network, CDC Alumni, and the Southern Alliance of Public Health Leadership (SAPHL) are co-sponsoring a Feds-giving community meal and food collection event for CDC staff and their families. RSVP via this form.

CAREER CORNER

» Check out this week’s Career Corner for details and to register for upcoming events. There are many career-related events coming up, including a virtual career expo designed for Veterans, as well as the regularly scheduled events with Pathways Forward and wellfed… plus, our friends at Defend Public Health are hiring.

» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff Group and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn for more.

» We’ve also collected Unemployment & Career Planning Resources on FBF, and Tracy Hoexter is offering a complimentary Express Headshot for any recently laid-off federal employee.

Pathways Forward Career Event

» November 14 - Navigating Career Shifts with Resilience from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET: Join Pathways Forward for discussion about.how to explore different career paths, identify your long-term goals, and create a step-by-step roadmap for growth and success. Register here.

CAREER CORNER

WEEKLY 27 uNIHted

event flyer for Federal Employee Coffee Hour

» If you’ve been fired, reinstated, on admin leave, don’t know your employment status, or are worried about being RIF’d, join fellow feds who *get it* for an hour of camaraderie in Northern Virginia. Download the flyer.

» 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

» We are monitoring the new legislation in Congress and the proposed reversal of the 10/10 RIFs, and we are hopeful these RIFs will be rescinded soon after the government reopens. We will communicate once we learn more. In the meantime, you can find basic information on our legal webpage.

» If you are RIF’d (on admin leave) and considering a new position, all ethics laws and regulations, including conflict of interest and the government-wide Standards of Ethical Conduct, still apply. OSSAM has provided a contact number for HHS Ethics (202-690-7258) if you have questions about your outside activity.

» If you’re not already a member, sign up here to join the fight now! As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join! The only exception is commissioned corps officers. https://join.afge.org/L2883

CDC MUTUAL AID

Join us in celebrating another remarkable milestone — this week, we reached our goal of raising $100,000 for the CDC Mutual Aid Fund! While we have made great progress this year, the need for assistance continues to grow. Applications have increased by 800% since August. So, we are raising our 2025 fundraising goal to $250,000! Help us meet our goal and support CDC Staff.

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

» Follow us on social media! Follow our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdc-mutual-aid-network/posts) and BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/cdcmutualaid.bsky.social) pages for updates, resources, success stories and more.

» Check out our merch store! With your favorite Save the CDC signs, car magnets, and more. https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/

» Find resources like our Shutdown Survival Guide and AFGE's step-by-step RIF guidance at our one-stop-shop resource portal. www.cdcresourceportal.org/resources

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE - ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for satirical medical news. Enjoy our top story from last week:

Latest Attempt to Reopen Government Spawns Dark Lord Astaroth the Destroyer: The latest attempt to end the ongoing government shutdown led to a bipartisan push to utilize the Bringer of the Final Night and Great Prince of Pestilence to try and end the impasse; fails miserably.

Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.

SPOON OF THE WEEK

This week’s Spoon of the Week goes to all CDC staff, “Current and in Exile,” who received the 2025 Executive Director’s Citation Award from the American Public Health Association (APHA).

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.

FORK OF THE WEEK

HHS Secretary RFKJ, who is NOT a medical professional, runs away as a colleague faints

Proving himself once again to be a MAN OF ACTION, Brave Bobby wasted no time running away from the scene as a colleague passed out nearby. While some suspect he may have been rushing to get rid of any acetaminophen, others suggest he didn’t want to be late to take on another pushup challenger.

» To submit a Fork of the Week candidate for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org using “fork of the week submission” in the subject line.

SELF CARE

flyer for Mobile Food Pantry Distributions for November 1 - 15, 2025 — Mobile Food Pantry Distributions

» The Atlanta Community Food Bank has collected a list of mobile food pantries operating through November 15 in the Atlanta area. Download the flyer.

My favorite season is the fall of fascism — What’s Your Favorite Season?

» Claim your free “My Favorite Season is the Fall of Fascism” sticker from MoveOn.

» Thursday, November 20, 2025: 12:00-1:00pm EST - Join FBF and Pathways Forward for a special stress management webinar: Recharge: A Holistic Approach to Stress Management. Join the Pathways Forward community or check the FBF events page for details.

» Lift your spirits with this “Singing for Animals” compilation video.

» The 4th Annual First Voices Festival, a celebration of Indigenous cultures, has free and ticketed events throughout November.

» The Intown Retreat is offering a free restorative yoga class every Monday at 7:30 pm. Use code RESTORECDC at checkout.

» Join our wellfed partners for a weekly Monday mental health and meditation session to start your week off right. The link to join can be found on wellfed’s website or the FBF community calendar.

» Federal benefits open season begins this month. Ease the stress of changing plans and check out this FEHB comparison tool and this Open Season Checklist.