BREAKING NEWS

» Yeah, no kidding. RFK Jr.’s olive branch isn't winning over his staffers | Politico

» CDC's resident Pinocchio, Andy Nixon, is at it again. New Plan Scales Back C.D.C.’s Work on Diseases Abroad | The New York Times (gift article)

» Kill global health programs, they said. It’ll increase efficiency, they said. Ebola Outbreak Could Become Worst on Record, Africa C.D.C. Chief Warns | The New York Times

» “Health Freedom.” White House response to hantavirus and Ebola contrasts with COVID criticisms | NPR

» Gold Standard ignorance. RFK Jr. orders passenger from hantavirus-stricken cruise to remain in quarantine, despite CDC recommendation | WISN

Welcome to the 66th 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 (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), signing up to volunteer, or subscribing to the NationalPHC Substack. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.

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

LEGAL UPDATES

The FBF Legal Team is taking off the week of Juneteenth. The next legal update will be on June 24. You can read the most recent legal update here.

CALLS TO ACTION

AIDS walk Atlanta; Music Festival & 5K run; September 26th; Piedmont Park — **FBF AIDS Walk**

» Come walk with your fellow Spoons for HIV Prevention. Register for the Fired But Fighting team for AIDS Walk Atlanta on September 26, 2026, in Piedmont Park. Use code AWA26 by June 16 for 50% off registration. We’re creating a team tee…unless you’d rather wear one of our sweet, sweet jerseys.

» Comments are needed on the OMB’s proposed rule titled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, which would grant political appointees control over financial assistance, including grants, cooperative agreements, and other federal financial aid. Read and share Jeffrey Hall’s LinkedIn post for information about potential impacts and what to do. On June 23 at 2:00 pm ET, you can join this webinar hosted by Lawyers for Good Government, Environmental Protection Network, and others to learn more about why your comments matter.

» Action Network letter campaign: Write Congress to protect PEPFAR & CDC’s global health work. Share with your networks - if you’re a current federal employee, sign outside of work hours in your personal capacity.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer.

EVENTS

Juneteenth Day of Service with Fired But Fighting — **Juneteenth Day of Service**

» Join Fired But Fighting for a Juneteenth day of service at the Atlanta History Center on **Friday, June 19 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm**. Volunteer opportunities include greeting, wayfinding, gardening, and children’s activities.

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

CAREER CORNER

» If you weren’t able to make the executive coaching info session with Emory, you can find the slide deck here. In this informal webinar, participants learned how to receive help from an Emory executive coach, along with details on timing, expectations, and how to express interest. If you want help, please indicate your interest by June 29. Coach/mentee matches will be announced by July 21. For questions, email Heather Dufault at heather.dufault@emory.edu.

» Executive Coaching Webinar on June 15 at 12pm EST: In this informal webinar, you’ll learn how you might receive help from having an Emory executive coach along with details on timing, expectations, and how to express your interest. Meeting link here.

» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.

UNION CORNER

» AFGE Local 2883 and partners are aware of the PMAP discrepancies and are monitoring. If the issue is not resolved, 2883 will take action. Please continue to flag them in your spaces and official channels. Download your award election from PMAS and the SF-50 for your records.

» Schedule P/C Notice — Local 2883 is tracking reports of CDC employees being notified that their positions are being converted from Title 5 competitive service to Schedule Policy/Career, also called Schedule P/C. If you receive a notice that your position is being converted to Schedule P/C, please do the following immediately:

Regardless of your union status, please fill out our Schedule P/C survey.
If you were part of our collective bargaining unit before it was derecognized under Executive Order 14251, send us an email marked URGENT to info@afge2883ga.org with your name, position title, series, grade, and office/division, date you received the notice, and a copy or screenshot of the notice, if you are comfortable sharing it.

» If you’re on the Reemployment Priority List (RPL) after the CDC RIF, consider applying for open positions where you meet the job series and grade, even if it doesn’t sound like a perfect match. If you apply and make the certificate, another CDC office may be able to pull that list and select you. Applying to an RPL-open announcement does not remove you from the RPL. AFGE Local 2883 is tracking these job announcements and needs RPL candidates to complete our short survey about the application process so we can help ensure the RPL is being used properly.

» Check Your Position Description: CDC policy requires employees and supervisors to review and verify PD accuracy annually as part of performance reviews. Use your mid-year review to ensure your PD reflects your actual duties and request updates through HR, via your supervisor and management officer, if needed. Keeping your PD accurate helps protect and support your role over time. If you have questions about this process, please reach out to us at info@afge2883ga.org.

» If you have RA-specific questions or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disability community, please email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.

» If you’re not already a member, sign up 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

» CDC Mutual Aid Network Unisex Soccer Jersey: New merch available. Unisex Soccer Jersey and more. Visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network Store: https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/

» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdc-mutual-aid-network
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdcmutualaid.bsky.social

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE

» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most recent story from this week:

» Lonely Mpox Outbreak Wants to Remind World It’s Still Around. As the world responds to the ongoing outbreaks of hantavirus, Ebola, polio, measles, and New World screwworm, Mpox wanted to let the world know that it is still around and is just as important as those other diseases.

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

SELF CARE

» A quick note from Ben M: “Gentle note to everyone in this community - please watch out for yourselves and make sure you are watching for burnout and exercising self-care. I've noticed more and more friends, family, and colleagues experiencing the effects of extreme burnout. I've felt it coming for me, too. Burnout is a real medical condition. It has its own ICD-10 code and everything. Burnout can have really bad effects on both mental and physical health. It probably shouldn't be surprising how many of us are experiencing burnout these days. It's hard not to feel a lack of control over our workplace, combined with a constant sense that everything is on fire. Just remember that you are more important than your job, and that if you don't take time for yourself, eventually your body will cash in the massive check you are writing. I hope everyone can take some time this holiday weekend to do some relaxing.”

» Feeling soooo stressed out? Take two minutes to try this self-guided box-breathing exercise: Box Breathing for Stress

» If you’re in the Atlanta area, check out the FIFA fan festival or Juneteenth celebration events taking place later this week.

» 🕹️👾 Don’t forget about the Southern Fried Gaming Expo, which is run by 3 NCEH Spoons, taking place from July 31 through August 2 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center and the Cobb Convention Center Atlanta.