** jump scare warning **

BREAKING NEWS

» On Official Website, CDC Now Suggests Vaccines May Cause Autism - KFF Health News | KFF Health News

» ACIP Returns: RFK Jr. and friends will reconvene for the December ACIP meeting, where they will discuss removing the universal hepatitis B birth dose and other disruptions to the childhood vaccination schedule.

» Rescissions rolling in: Since the longest. shutdown. EVER. ended last week, federal employees who received RIF notices during the shutdown should now have received rescission notices, and many agencies have begun to process back pay. While staff pick up the pieces, the long-term public health effects of the shutdown are not yet completely understood.

» US HHS proposes new CDC programs, including hepatitis B screening for pregnant women, Bloomberg News reports | Reuters

» House majority forces vote on bill to restore collective bargaining for most federal employees | Federal News Network

Welcome to the 36th 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.

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.

Is your wallet a little heavier post-furlough? 🎁Check off your gift list at the FBF merch store, including kids’ apparel, holiday ornaments, and stocking stuffers 🎄

various Fired But Fighting merchandise, including new products like Vaccines Cause Adults and CDC Saves Lives bumper magnets, and a cute character named Epi the Disease Detective

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

LEGAL UPDATES

NOTICE by the FBF Legal Team: This group of Signal-certified attorneys will be taking the week of Thanksgiving off. The next legal update will be on December 5.

» It appears that HHS has rescinded all RIF notices that were issued on October 10. If you were RIF’d during the shutdown and have not received a rescission notice, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org. This week's legal update provides details on the lawsuits affecting all the RIFs across HHS, including the probationary employee legal cases, the April 1 RIF, and the shutdown RIF.

READ THE LEGAL UPDATE

RIF RESOURCES

» General and Georgia-specific RIF resources are available on the FBF resources page.

» Got a side hustle like tutoring, music lessons, pet care, babysitting, or creative skills? FBF hosts a searchable side-hustle-style marketplace to help connect fired feds with folks who want to support federal workers. Sign up here to be included. NOTE: This is an external resource available to the general public.

» 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.

CALLS-TO-ACTION

» Thinking about holiday gifts? The FBF Talent Marketplace has lots of listings from people with talents like photography, baking, jewelry design, and even ornament-making. Please consider supporting a fired fed while doing your holiday shopping.

leave a public comment for RFKJ’s nonsense ACIP — » **Leave a public comment for the upcoming ACIP meetings,** in which they will discuss removing the universal hepatitis B birth dose. Instructions.

» Mark the new vaccine misinformation page as ‘unhelpful.”

» Join AFGE in urging your senators to vote ‘Yes’ on the Shutdown Fairness Act, which would ensure federal employees receive pay in the event of a government shutdown.

» Tell your public service story with the Federal Employees and Contractors Oral History Project.

» Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom have 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.

» 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.

a 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 Drive for our Buford Highway neighbors on December 6. Consider donating if you are able.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer. We’re especially looking for a volunteer coordinator and newsletter writer/editors.

EVENTS

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

**Casa Alterna**

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

flyer for Save Science Reporting. A Charity Bike Ride. — **Biking Atlanta**

» December 1 at 7 pm ET: Join Atlanta Social Bike Rides for a fundraising bike ride through Atlanta’s global health and environmental landmarks. Proceeds will benefit The Xylom, an Asian American-run, Atlanta-based news outlet reporting on health, climate, and environmental issues.

CAREER CORNER

» Check out this week’s Career Corner for upcoming events and resources. This week, we’re highlighting the Never Search Alone job search process for job seekers, as well as a great senior leadership opportunity with WashU’s new School of Public Health. There are also a number of career-related events coming up, including regularly scheduled events with Pathways Forward and wellfed… and Washington University’s new School of Public Health, which is hiring.

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

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

READ THE CAREER CORNER

WEEKLY 27 uNIHted

» Jenna Norton, an NIH employee, was placed on administrative leave on Thursday, 11/13/2025, without explanation after speaking out against the new administration's actions in her personal capacity. This follows the retaliation experienced by multiple federal workers after they signed letters of dissent and spoke out against new agency policies. Federal employees have continued to speak out despite this retaliation. They will continue to do so, as these events have seemingly empowered workers to fight even harder to protect their agencies. Support Jenna and 27 uNIHted by sharing the press release and shopping Courage is Contagious gear.

an 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

» Stewards Wanted! Union stewards serve as workplace representatives for their peers, educating members on their rights and assisting in resolving workplace issues. If you are interested in becoming a steward, please email Ryan Tapscott (RyanTapscott@afge2883ga.org). All members are welcome to take the free online Introductory Stewards Training available on the AFGE website. Visit the AFGE Labor Lab page for details on setting up an account to take the training.

» 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 a remarkable milestone — 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. 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

» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for satirical medical news. Enjoy our top story from last week: Scientists Discover Rare Case of Amnesia, Other Strange Symptoms Among Republican Leaders Who Have Read Epstein Files - “‘It’s like ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ except no one’s face melts off” says one Democratic Congresswoman privy to situation.”

» 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, we’d like to acknowledge CDC Mutual Aid Network donors and volunteers. To date, the network has raised and distributed over $100,000 to members of the CDC community. During the shutdown, donors contributed a record number of funds, while volunteers worked around the clock to process requests for assistance. The CDC Mutual Aid Network continues to embody the true spirit of community. Click to donate.

» 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.

FIRED AND THRIVING

peppermint hot cocoa and creamsicle lip balm, sexy salve lavender lotion

» Nicole Kuiper was one of the many RIF'd employees on April 1st, and was then permanently separated on August 18th. After a 20-year career at CDC, she wasn't sure what was next. With the job market being what it was, she knew she had to do something in the meantime to supplement her retirement annuity. Nicole's been making herbal personal care products for many years, including salves, balms, shower steamers, and more. After many years of making them for personal use and as gifts, she launched her business, Where Concrete Flowers Grow, to reflect the idea that beauty and hope can spring even from tough places. Consider her peppermint hot cocoa and other lip balms as great stocking stuffers. Email contact@shopconcreteflowers.com for a list of products and to place an order (website coming soon).

SELF CARE

flyer for the Nutcracker at Terminus ballet school November 21 to 23 — » The Terminus Ballet School is offering $5 tickets to see the Nutcracker Suite at Kennesaw State University from November 21 to 23. Scan the QR code or use code “cdc” on their ticket page.

» 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 continues through early December. Ease the stress of changing plans and check out this FEHB comparison tool and this Open Season Checklist.