Issue 49
jump scare warning
***
BREAKING NEWS
» Yes. “Gold Standard Science.” RFK Jr. reveals he used to 'snort cocaine off of toilet seats'
» Say hello to the National Centerstitutes of Disease Control and Health Prevention: we just learned that the NIH Director Will Temporarily Run CDC in Leadership Shake-Up.
» After getting its hand slapped publicly, FDA has reversed course and agreed to review Moderna’s flu vaccine. This short explains the latest in plain language.
» Physician and public health groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have filed a lawsuit to block changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, leaving RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Moves in Limbo as Judge Weighs Injunction.
Welcome to the 49th 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 fed.
Fresh new Fired But Fighting merch
Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.
LEGAL UPDATES
» One year ago, thousands of probationary employees were summarily fired across the federal government. They were dismissed with no regard for the quality of their performance, the importance of their public service, their dignity, or their livelihoods. Elon Musk, Russell Vought, and their cronies at DOGE and OPM thought that these employees would simply fade from public view, but the legal fight is still going strong. This week's legal update marks the ongoing fight for justice for fired probies, who have blazed the trail for all of us who have been fired but are still fighting. It also includes information on an EEO class complaint for telework as RA, the status of MSPB appeals for those RIF’d from HHS, and updates on federal lawsuits challenging the RIFs across government.
Read the full legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Comment needed on these proposed rules that affect HHS employees and the public health workforce. 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 the process down. You can find guidance on submitting comments on proposed regs here.
The Department of Education has recategorized Public Health, Nursing, and other professional degrees as no longer being “Professional Degrees.” PLEASE COMMENT ABOUT HOW BAD OF AN IDEA THIS IS BY MARCH 7.
OPM proposes to transfer appeal rights for employees affected by a RIF action from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to OPM, removing independent review and overriding union grievance routes. Read more and comment before March 12.
» Sign up for the Know Your Rights for Federal Workers: Whistleblower Protections, Hatch Act, First Amendment Rights, and More webinar, hosted by Tully Rinckey PLLC on February 23 at 7 pm ET. RSVP here.
» Attend a celebration of life for Dr. William Foege. The event will take place at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public. RSVP.
» Were you affected by the government-wide unlawful terminations in February 2025? 27 UNIHTED, an organization started by probationary and RIF'd NIH employees, has created a 20-30 minute survey to better understand the lasting repercussions of these events. Please consider taking the survey via Google form.
» ICE is a public health problem. We’ve compiled some resources for our readers to take a stand against ICE on the FBF Resources page.
» 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
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.
The Sandwich Project
» February 22: Join Compassionate Atlanta and The Sandwich Project in serving our neighbors with food insecurity by assembling sandwiches and care packages. RSVP here.
NPHC/FBF Day of Service
» March 7: Join NPHC/FBF for our first Day of Service with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Register here.
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.
» Please follow and share 27 uNIHted’s new Instagram account.
UNION CORNER
» Snider & Associates, LLC, out of Baltimore, MD, has filed an EEO class complaint about CDC’s handling of disability-related telework reasonable accommodations.
The proposed class is defined as: All current and former Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees who, since January 2025 and continuing to the present and beyond, requested telework as part or all of a reasonable accommodation based on disability and did not receive the requested accommodation.
This class definition still needs to be certified by a judge and could change. If you think you meet the class definition, fill out the data collection form from Snider & Associates here.
DO NOT STOP YOUR INDIVIDUAL EEO COMPLAINTS. We do not know the outcome of the class complaint, and it is important not to miss EEO complaint deadlines in the meantime in order to protect your own rights.
» If you have RA-specific questions or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disabilities community, please email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.
» 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 be sent by snail mail, so please ensure your address on file with AFGE is correct!
» 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
» New Merch Drop! Check our new "Public Health is Love" collection and more. Every purchase directly supports our mission and helps us continue making a difference. cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me.
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on Social Media!
THE WEEKLY NEEDLE
» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for satirical medical news. Enjoy our top story from last week:
» Nations Around World Congratulate First Successful Launch of Kid Rock, RFK Jr Playdate - The world gathers to commemorate the first successful playdate between US Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy and performer Kid Rock. UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke Wednesday morning to commemorate the playdate, calling it a “major advance in global health.”
» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» HHS probationary employees are the Spoon of the Week. One year after the illegal termination of many of our colleagues, probationary employees continue the fight against the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle public health agencies.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
» Browse this guide of Black History Month events, activities, and places to explore in the Atlanta area.
» Yoga with Amanda offers a free class at the Decatur Library each month. Sign up for the February or March class on the library’s website.
» For the bird lovers: check out this unique visualization and story about Searching for Birds.
» It’s still February…are you still craving 💕LOVE💘? Love Is a Menu, Not Five Languages | Greater Good Magazine
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» February 12: A.M. ATL: Don’t bank on it | Atlanta Journal Constitution
