Issue 40

Trump to nation: “Relax, guy.”

BREAKING NEWS

» This week, the Federal Register published an announcement of a $1.6 million CDC-funded grant to conduct a hepatitis B vaccine trial on newborn babies in Guinea-Bissau. The study described would ignore U.S. and WHO standards of care for hepatitis B vaccination. The execution of this grant would mean U.S. taxpayer dollars would unilaterally be given to a university in another country to perform an unethical experiment on babies in a low-resource country, exploiting the people of this country, rather than enrolling Americans in this “safe” study.

» American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr.  | Washington Post 

» As HHS restricts telework, CDC asks employees to ‘bypass’ reasonable accommodations process | Federal News Network 

» Additional shutdown layoffs must be rolled back, judge rules | GovExec 

» Merch alert: Remember Stephen Colbert’s hilarious RFK Jr. raunchy poetry magnets? Well, we’ve made a public health version. Also, you can now give the gift of FBF merch with a gift card. 

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Welcome to the 40th 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.

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

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LEGAL UPDATE

» MSPB appeals filed to challenge the 4/1 RIF have been consolidated for many of the smaller HHS agencies. This means that HHS is now required to submit an Agency File with its explanation for why the RIFs were considered “lawful” and all evidence and documentation supporting its position. The discovery process will begin soon. AFGE is working to fight the denial of reasonable accommodations. Our final legal update of 2025 also provides updates on the ongoing lawsuits challenging RIFs across the federal government.

» NOTICE from the FBF Legal Team: This group of Signal-certified attorneys is taking off the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s. The next FBF legal update will be on January 8.

READ THE LEGAL UPDATE

CALLS TO ACTION

» Protect Research Funding Integrity: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is requesting input from the scientific community on how to sustain U.S. leadership in science and technology. This is an opportunity to share your experiences with how bureaucratic delays and administrative maneuvering have affected critical research funding. Help make the real-world consequences impossible to ignore. The deadline to submit comments is Friday, December 26th. Comment guidance.

» The Unofficial CDC Comfort Cookbook is here! Order a hard copy or PDF by completing this form. All proceeds go to the CDC Mutual Aid Network. 

» 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. 

» 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.  

» January 18: (Un) Happy Hour and free improv show hosted by Dad’s Garage at 6:00 pm. Grab your ticket today. Pop Up Special Event - CDC Fired but Fighting Event

CAREER CORNER

Please note that the Career Corner will be on hiatus until after the new year. Please visit the Unemployment & Career Planning section in FBF Resources.

WEEKLY 27 uNIHted

» Toy Swap: Friday, December 19, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 700 M Street SE. 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 Instagram account>>

UNION CORNER

» We are gathering data on staff experiences with Reasonable Accommodations (RAs). Your feedback will help us continue to support employees. Data stays secure in AFGE 2883’s Microsoft systems and is only shared with a small team of RA support volunteers, NOT shared with the agency. Take the survey here.

» If you would like support with requesting EEO counseling or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disabilities community to file EEO complaints, email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.

» 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

» Happy Holidays from the CDC Mutual Aid Network! As we approach the end of the year, we are grateful for the solidarity and support that has allowed us to gift nearly $150,000 to more than 100 CDC workers and their families who lost their income this year. Please consider making a year-end donation to CDC Mutual Aid by going to www.cdcresourceportal.org/donate. 

» Holiday merch still available!  Visit our online store to buy some subtly spoons-themed wrapping paper or one of our fabulous holiday ornaments.

» Give us a follow. Follow our LinkedIn and BlueSky for updates, resources, success stories, and more.

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE

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

Going Further than State, RFK Jr To Ban All Fonts from HHS - Following State, but going further, RFK Jr bans all fonts to fight against all “woke DEI” and move HHS to communicate in a way to match the attention span of the average American. DHS plans to go even further by reducing all communications to “simple caveman grunts”.

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

SPOON OF THE WEEK

» Dr. Fiona Havers, former lead of CDC’s Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network team, is the Spoon of the Week. She provided outstanding testimony before the Subcommittee on O&I of the Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing, “Examining Biosecurity at the Intersection of AI and Biology.”

» 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

» Looking for something fun to do in the next few weeks? Atlanta on the Cheap has a huge list of 200 seasonal and winter events on their Holiday Happenings list. 

» Take a moment to listen to this NPR interview explaining how to think about Rest as a form of Resistance.

»  Ten Movies That Can Make Your Holiday More Meaningful | Greater Good Magazine

»Want to support local businesses that are anti-MAGA and pro-CDC? Take a look at the alternative 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide for places to spend our dollars intentionally this holiday season. Feel free to add, edit, and share.

FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS

» December 15: Courage is (mildly) contagious | If you can keep it

» December 15: Newsom hires former CDC leaders as public health advisers | The Hill