Issue 67
BREAKING NEWS
» Public health shouldn’t be a game, but… ‘A game of musical chairs:’ CDC employees say temporary reassignments take priority over hiring after major staffing cuts | Federal News Network
» More of this, please. CDC’s chief blocked a covid vaccine study. Now it’s in a top medical journal. | Washington Post
» Vive le workaround. For vaccine information, some pediatricians are finding ways to sidestep Trump's CDC | NPR
» Correct. Opinion: Covid Politics Don’t Have to Be Toxic | New York Times
» Ebola updates. France confirms first Ebola case | BBC
» More nonsense. Trump HR Office Tightens Rules for Senior Executive Training | Bloomberg Law
Welcome to the 67th 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 has gained insight into how HHS planned and executed last year's RIF through the agency file in the MSPB, generously provided by AltFDA. Our update features information on the HHS-level RIF decision-makers, as well as impending changes to how several of the consolidations are grouped. If you filed your MSPB RIF appeal pro se, consider joining our working group. The group meets monthly to share information and work together to figure out how to file motions and manage discovery. Our next meeting is scheduled for July 14. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.
This week's legal update also includes information on Schedule Policy/Career reclassifications, revising your position description via desk audit, and updates on federal lawsuits challenging the HHS RIF.
You can read the most recent legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Take the Public Service Poll. NPHC's Social Media team is working on content to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. We want to reclaim patriotism and highlight all the amazing and creative ways all of us and our colleagues have found to continue to serve despite all this chaos and destruction at the federal level. How are you continuing your mission in new ways? No matter how small the action may seem, we want your input.
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. 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.
» 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
Take Back the Flag
» (Un) Happy Hour Alert: On June 28, we TAKE BACK THE FLAG at Halfway Crooks in Summerhill. Because there’s nothing more patriotic than being a champion for public health. Games. Prizes. Giveaways. 💪 Get details and tell us you're coming here.
CDC MUTUAL AID
Ice Cream for a Cause
» On July 20, come to the CDC 80th Birthday Ice Cream Social fundraiser at the Decatur Square Jeni's Ice Cream. 25% of the proceeds will benefit the CDC Mutual Aid Fund.
» 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/
» 🥄COMING SOON: GROUP SPOON TATTOOS. Stay tuned.
» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.
CAREER CORNER
» Emory University’s Executive Education program is supporting former CDC colleagues as we navigate career transitions and new opportunities. They are offering a heavily discounted coaching opportunity for up to 25 former CDC employees. Participants will receive five 1-hour coaching sessions for $50 total. Eligibility: This opportunity is available only to former CDC employees (e.g., RIF’d, separated, fired, retired). If you are interested, please review this information and submit the interest form by June 29, 2026: https://forms.gle/a121yAfBfMRzmC6d8. Questions? Contact Heather Dufault at heather.dufault@emory.edu or Lee Warner leewarner99@gmail.com.
» 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
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:
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:
» “A Bigger Celebrity” - Worm In Secretary Kennedy’s Brain Pushes Out Kash Patel’s Girlfriend for National Anthem Trump Rally Performance. The Trump administration has decided to push out country singer, Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, for the worm inside RFK Jr.’s brain due to “bigger star appeal.”
» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
FIRED AND THRIVING
RIF’d Children’s Author
» After being RIF’d from federal service, Carla Thomas began a new adventure as a children’s book author. If you like books about animals, consider supporting her most recent releases, The Adventure of Loui the Yorkshire Terrier: A Puppy Comes to Visit While His Parents Are Away and We Found Faith. You can also follow her on Instagram at carla_writesnow.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» This week’s honorary spoon goes to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool algae. Proving the utter corruption and incompetence of this administration with vibrant audacity is our love language. 😈
SELF CARE
» If you’re feeling stuck, check out this article on The Art of Muddling When Shit Happens.
» Looking for a new podcast for your morning commute? Try out the Public Health Group Chat podcast, hosted by public health professionals who break down what’s actually happening in the world of health—without the jargon or spin, no background required.
» Something to do ‘til the Valium kicks in: Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book.
» Cat lands job at senior dog rescue - another cute clip from The Good News Girl.
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» June 21: CDC Suspends Disease Testing Amid Staffing Crisis | British Brief
» June 17: Wenn Wissen verschwindet (When Knowledge Disappears) | Dier Wiarda Blog
FOR NO REASON
