Issue 77
» So much for “truth speaking.” Trump’s new CDC director ordered delay in counting 2 measles-related deaths | CNN
» An outbreak in our home. Measles outbreak confirmed at metro Atlanta daycare | Atlanta News First
» Reminder: stealing research money is, in fact, bad. Danish autism researcher pleads guilty to stealing more than $1M in CDC grant money | Atlanta News First
» Let’s pray the cancer away. Trump names pastor as tobacco health adviser at CDC | The Hill
» Just what we need, more politicals. RFK Jr.’s Health Department leads Trump’s push to add politicals to the federal workforce | Politico
» FYI, Atlanta is one of the most surveilled cities in the U.S. How an Atlanta Suburb Ended Up Sharing Flock Data With More Than 2,000 Organizations | Wired
» Please sir, may I have my 1% pay increase? Trump Reasserts 2027 Pay Freeze for Federal Employees Except Law Enforcement Personnel | FedWeek
» Gutting public health has consequences. Separation from the CDC and its consequences for the public health workforce: findings from the CDC WISE Survey | Health Affairs Scholar
» Look to the experts. Medical groups offer vaccine guidance to fill federal vacuum | NPR
Welcome to the 77th 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 and share this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.
LEGAL UPDATES
» CDC RIF appeals were consolidated in the MSPB this week. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to register and set up your profile in the MSPB e-Appeal portal so you receive electronic notifications about your appeal.
One of the federal lawsuits challenging the probationary employee terminations (Saladino v. OSC) was dismissed last week. The Ninth Circuit also heard oral arguments in the government's challenge of Judge Alsup's final ruling, which found the mass firing of probationary employees unconstitutional. The HHS probationary employee class action MSPB appeal is also still active, as are the other class actions (DHS and Interior in the Federal Circuit, and HUD, OPM, and Commerce in the MSPB).
This week's legal update includes more information on these developments relevant to the probies' fight for justice, as well as an update on Congressional appropriations, the original AFGE lawsuit against the government-wide RIFs, the related lawsuit against the shutdown RIFs, and a breakdown of proposed regulatory changes for how the EEOC handles discrimination complaints.
You can read the most recent legal update here. Legally minded? Sign up to volunteer with our legal team.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Do you have a special set of skills? We all need to channel our rage. Consider signing up to volunteer with us. We need help maintaining the events page, organizing gatherings and social events, or any way YOU would like to contribute to the cause.
» Get ready to vote with some resources we’ve compiled:
Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org: Make sure you’re registered, see what’s on your ballot, find your polling place, etc.
Make sure you never miss another election or polling site change by registering at the nonpartisan TurboVote.
Sign up to be a poll observer and help ACLU Georgia and partners protect voters against intimidation and violation of their rights.
Have you ever considered serving as a poll worker? Did you know that this is one “side hustle” that doesn’t require EPATS approval for feds? Work Elections Project: Learn How to Become a Poll Worker.
Project HALO, a coalition of veterans, faith leaders, legal professionals, and community leaders, focuses on creating a welcoming, celebratory, nonpartisan presence around elections so every voter feels safe and respected at the polls. The Georgia chapter is in need of event organizers for upcoming elections. Organizers receive a small stipend. If interested, reach out to victoria.ayer@gmail.com.
» Public comment needed:
In their most recent effort to change vaccine policy and disregard evidence, HHS released a Request for Comment as to whether the current three categories (routine, risk-based, and shared clinical decision-making) used in Federal vaccine recommendations are adequate. Read more about concerns that national medical organizations have about this innocuous sounding “request for information” and leave a comment by September 20.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced new proposed rules for managing federal sector discrimination complaints. The proposal would fundamentally change who gets to decide whether a federal agency discriminated against its employees. The proposed rules would give the agency accused of discrimination more control, weakening access to independent review and forcing employees into expensive federal litigation. Learn more from Shaun Southworth and submit your comment by September 28.
Under White House direction, NIH is proposing changes to its grant application review process. Currently, each application is assigned a numeric rating, which is provided to applicants so they can compare their scores to other published awards and understand if they need to strengthen their own applications for funding. Under the proposed process, applications would be sorted into 3 broad categories, and the overall scores would not be released. These changes would reduce transparency and make it easier for applications to be denied for political instead of scientific reasons. Learn more about this issue and provide a comment by October 13.
» Los Vecinos de Buford Highway, a community organization supporting local families, has recurring needs for grocery donations, diapers, and rental assistance. Currently, they are helping about 60 families a month, all of whom have had a family member kidnapped by ICE. If you're able, consider donating.
EVENTS
FBF/NPHC Team AIDS Walk Atlanta
» Get those steps in - and since Kelly Rowland is performing this year, get some dance moves in too. Register with the Fired But Fighting team for AIDS Walk Atlanta happening on September 26, 2026, at Piedmont Park.
Can’t walk the Walk this year? You can still donate to the team effort.
» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.
CAREER CORNER
» Career corner is off this week, but check out last week's issue for upcoming events.
» Are you unemployed or underemployed? Generation JobSprint is accepting applicants for a 3-week career coaching course to help sharpen your skills and polish your resume. Applicants in Atlanta, DC, and Austin will receive priority. Apply now or download the pamphlet to learn more.
» Don’t forget to join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff LinkedIn group and follow NPHC on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events. Want to contribute to Career Corner? Sign up to volunteer.
UNION CORNER
» RA Updates: We are aware that many staff with pending RA requests received a message from a general HHS email requesting medical documentation within 20 days. Most staff received this message without an option to engage in the interactive process with an Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator (RAC). We also have privacy concerns about sending medical documentation to a shared inbox. At this time, we recommend that staff do NOT send medical documentation to this email. We anticipate additional guidance from the agency soon, but in the meantime, staff should continue to request to engage in an individualized, interactive process with an RAC.
» Webinar Materials Posted Online: Materials from recent L2883 webinars, “RIF Appeals and the MSPB” and “PMAP Tips and Tricks” are now posted on the L2883 member page. If you’ve not logged into our L2883 page before, enter the email address associated with your AFGE Local 2883 membership and select “Forgot your password?"
» CTAP and RPL rights denied: We strongly encourage RIF’d employees who are not getting through the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL) process to appeal their determinations with the MSPB. It is free to file and can be done online using the MSPB e-appeal system. Reach out to mikasa@afge2883ga.org for more information. Please also keep us informed by filling out L2883's Federal Hiring Practices and Priority Placement Survey. This will help us advocate for separated employees.
» Join AFGE L2883. 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
» Gear Up and Give Back with CDC Mutual Aid
If you’re looking for a way to show support and stay festive, this is the perfect time to grab your favorite piece. We’ve got something for everyone:
Visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network Store for more: https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/
» Be Part of the Message: Share Your CDC Mutual Aid Merch Moments
In an effort to reach new audiences and strengthen our fundraising, we’re expanding how we promote CDC Mutual Aid merch. If you have photos of yourself wearing CDC Mutual Aid merch, consider sharing them with us. To participate, simply email your photos to cdcmutualaidnetwork@gmail.com. By emailing your photos, you agree to allow CDC Mutual Aid to use your submitted photo(s) for promotional and fundraising purposes. This may include social media, newsletters, merchandise promotion, and other outreach materials. A few optional guidelines to keep things simple:
You don’t have to show your face if you prefer not to
Please avoid including other people in the frame or background
Pups are absolutely welcome
Thank you for helping us amplify the mission and reach more people who care about community support ♥️
» 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:
» CDC Director Challenges Findings She is Director of CDC, Responsible for Nation’s Health - “I believe in gold standard science, and I want people to trust the CDC. That’s why I am asking for a thorough audit to confirm if I am actually in charge,” explained Dr. Schwartz, “I don’t know what I am doing.”
» Please consider becoming a subscriber. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» This week’s honorary spoon goes to Dr. Greta Massetti and colleagues for their efforts in documenting and publishing the experiences of former CDC staff in the CDC WISE Study published this week.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
» For the art lovers, check out the Chamblee Chalk Walk and Artist Market on September 12 at 10am in Downtown Chamblee.
» Your Happiness & Connection Calendar for September 2026 | Greater Good
» hey. you are EXACTLY where you’re supposed to be | Lennie the Blob (YouTube)
» Check out WellFed’s Virtual Meditation: “A Moment of Calm: Meditation for the Fired or Tired” on Mondays at 12 pm ET.
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» August 28: The New CDC Director Acknowledges Agency Problems | The Carolinian Newspaper
FOR NO REASON
