salt truck pouring lemon pepper salt on the highway in Atlanta

BREAKING NEWS

» Stop ICE. Protect Public Health. This week, Save HHS released a letter to Congress denouncing the ongoing ICE invasion of American cities. Read the full letter here.

» Dejá vu all over again? We’ve kept our Shutdown Resources on the Fired But Fighting site.

» Dozens of CDC databases aren't being updated — most related to vaccines, study finds | NBC NEWS

» American Academy of Pediatrics releases childhood vaccine recommendations that differ from CDC | CBS News

Welcome to the 46th 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 a finance person. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired (or furloughed) fed.

various Fired But Fighting merchandise, including new products like stickers and NPHC Valentine’s Day candy hearts

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

LEGAL UPDATES

» The Congressional appropriations process has been upended by ICE running amok in Minneapolis, spiking the probability of a partial shutdown as Senate Democrats threaten to vote down any bill that includes DHS funding. Meanwhile, federal employee unions have recently scored arbitration wins on telework, and lawsuits to restore our collective bargaining rights are progressing. This week's legal update includes more information on these topics, as well as lawsuits challenging the various HHS RIFs, progress on MSPB appeals (including the probie firings), and reasonable accommodations.

» Read the full legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

» We’ve compiled some resources for our readers to take a stand against ICE:

The Atlanta Regional Coalition for ICE Out events has compiled a list of trainings and events during the next two weeks.
50501 Georgia has a list of upcoming events, including an ICE OUT march on February 1.
5 Ways to Support Immigrant Communities
Stand with Minnesota hosts a directory of ways to support Minnesota communities occupied by ICE.
If you’re in DeKalb County, leave a public comment supporting the resolution to bar ICE from the county. Learn more.

» If you’re looking to send a message to Congress, Democracy.io makes it easy to contact your senators and representatives on a single website.

» Stand Up For Science is planning for the Rally to Take Back Science on March 7. Volunteer if you’re in the DMV, or sign up to host an event in your local area.

» OPM's proposed rule targeting probationary employees is open for comment until the end of January. The regulations that formerly governed probie MSPB appeal rights (5 CFR 315, Subpart H) have been repealed by EO number whatever-the-f*ck, "Strengthening Probationary Periods in the Federal Service." The purpose of the proposed rule is to give OPM, rather than the MSPB, the authority to decide challenges by probationary employees to terminations. Please consider submitting a comment. You can raise substantive issues, ask questions for consideration, or even request an extension of the comment period. They will have to respond and that will slow this thing down. You can find guidance on submitting comments on proposed regs here.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer. We’re especially looking for volunteer coordinators, CPAs, and attorneys.

EVENTS

The Lost Druid Brewery. January 31, 2026 2:00 to 5:00 pm — **(Un) Happy Hour**

» January 31: Join us for an impromptu (Un) Happy Hour at the Lost Druid Brewery & Distillery and blow off some steam.

Rage Room + (Un) Happy Hour Flyer — **Rage Room**

» February 21: Rage Room + (Un) Happy Hour Combo. Home base is Skol Brewing Company. The Spin Art ATL Rage Room is within walking distance, and we’ve booked the room at 2:00 and 3:00. RSVP here.

Atlanta Community Food Bank Day of Service — **NPHC/FBF Day of Service**

» March 7: Join NPHC/FBF for our first Day of Service with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Register here.

CAREER CORNER

» The Career Corner is 🚧 under construction 🚧 until next week. In the meantime, please visit the Unemployment & Career Planning section in FBF Resources.

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

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.

**Benefit Concert**

» 27 UNIHTED Benefit Concert: February 15 at 5:00 pm at The Alley. Download the flyer.

» Please follow and share 27 uNIHted’s new Instagram account.

UNION CORNER

» On February 13, AFGE L2883 dues will increase from $15 to $22.46 biweekly for current employees, and from $50 to $75 annually for retired employees. We are working to maintain the $15/biweekly rate for recently separated employees. Stay tuned!

» Only a small portion of your dues (<25%!) goes to L2883 (the rest goes to AFGE national), but your dues are essential to ensure our local is able to continue operating and assisting its members, including with legal representation.

» L2883 will be holding officer elections soon, please be on the lookout for a call for nominations. Due to National Labor Relations Board regulations, this will come via snail mail, so please ensure your address on file with AFGE is correct!

» 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

» We did it! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we've surpassed 1,000 donations and reached 1,100! This milestone wouldn't have been possible

» We’ve re-released our Shutdown Survival Guide to support federal workers in the event of a shutdown. Financial options, guides, and mutual aid resources are all in one place. Visit https://www.cdcresourceportal.org/resources/shutdown-survival-guide to learn more.

» For additional resources, check out our resource library for CDC workers at www.cdcresourceportal.org/resources

» Learn about GA Unemployment Claims for Federal Employees at the GA Department of Labor website: https://dol.georgia.gov/unemployment-claims-federal-employees

» We will be releasing new merch soon! Every purchase directly supports our mission and helps us continue making a difference. cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE

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

» New PMAP Guidance for HHS Staff No Longer on a 1 to 5 Scale and Must Range from 1 to 1: Several HHS employees spoke anonymously about the changes, saying “this is bullshit” but added “Well at least I can focus my passions on a hobby instead of work.”

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

SPOON OF THE WEEK

LCDR Abigail, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps’ official mascot, is the Spoon of the Week. Abigail was bred and selected specifically to be an emotional support dog. She brought joy and comfort to her CDC colleagues last week during her visit to Atlanta campuses. Learn more about Abigail and her duties at her official website.

» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.

SELF CARE

» WellFed - Monday Mental Health + Meditation. Start your week feeling centered with a meditation hosted by Drew Tye Ruby-Howe [ former fed ]. Weekly on Mondays, 1:00-2:00 PM ET - Zoom Link FYI: The full guest list has been hidden at the organizer's request. Organizer: thedish@wearewellfed.com

» Every Monday morning at 8 am ET, Yoga with Torie offers a 15-minute yoga class and a pilates class. Classes are free and donation-based. Sign up on Torie’s website.

» Self-Care Assessment Worksheet | Brown University

» 🎲 Need some Dice and Diversions? This local Atlanta gaming con - run by 3 fellow Spoons - is now postponed to February 20-22. Not too late to partake or volunteer.