Issue 79
BREAKING NEWS
» The Great Unsh*tification? Record U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak is over, CDC says | CNBC
» What’s worse than no CDC director? This one. CDC director’s ‘unusual’ silence draws scrutiny | The Hill
» Red flag alert. As diseases loom, CDC's response to measles deaths stirs fears about agency's reliability | NPR
» And yet another red flag. Trump administration changes how it counts measles deaths amid Pennsylvania outbreak | The Guardian
» Emergency responders to the rescue. Federal judge rules Homeland Security plan for 50% FEMA staffing cuts was unlawful | PBS News
» This is still a thing. ICE quietly targeted Georgia this summer, arresting thousands | WABE
» Good riddance to bad rubbish. Judge halts ‘favorite EO’ question on federal job applications | Government Executive
» No one else wants this. More ‘Big Balls’-type young feds are what the OPM chief wants | Government Executive
» This seems normal. West Nile virus death confirmed in Georgia, health department says | Atlanta News First
» Whamp, whamp, whammmmp: Exclusive: New CDC director talks measles outbreak, employee morale and distrust in agency | Atlanta News First
Welcome to the 79th 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
» All CDC RIF appeals have now been consolidated in the MSPB. There are five consolidations: Groups 1-4 represent law firms, and Group 5 comprises pro se (self-represented) appellants. Each consolidation includes multiple orders from the administrative judge and important deadlines. We encourage everyone to read these orders carefully, particularly if you filed pro se. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to register and set up your profile in the MSPB e-Appeal portal to receive electronic notifications about your appeal. In other MSPB-related news, the administrative judge presiding over the HHS probationary employee class action appeal held a status conference on Monday, September 14.
» This week's legal update includes more information on HHS RIF appeals in the MSPB, plus recent arbitration wins related to government-wide RIFs and guidance on filing an appeal if your CTAP or RPL rights are denied when applying for federal positions.
» You can read the most recent legal update here.
» Legally minded? Sign up to volunteer with our Legal Team.
CALLS TO ACTION
» 📢 Get your public comment in before this SUNDAY’s deadline 📢
In their most recent effort to change vaccine policy and disregard evidence, HHS released a Request for Comment on whether the current three categories (routine, risk-based, and shared clinical decision-making) used in Federal vaccine recommendations are adequate. Read more about the national medical organization’s concerns on this innocuous-sounding “request for information” and leave a comment by September 20.
» Get ready to vote with some resources we’ve compiled:
Everything You Need to Vote. Check your registration status, view your ballot, find your polling place, etc.
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 rights violations.
Have you ever considered serving as a poll worker? Did you know that this is one “side hustle” that doesn’t require EPATS approval? 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 needs event organizers for upcoming elections. Organizers receive a small stipend. If interested, reach out to victoria.ayer@gmail.com.
» Be HEARD: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced new proposed rules for managing federal sector discrimination complaints. The proposal would fundamentally change who decides whether a federal agency discriminated against its employees by giving the agency accused of discrimination greater control. In addition, the proposed changes include ending mandatory pre-complaint counseling, eliminating employees’ automatic right to a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge, and removing the administrative class complaint process. These changes will weaken access to independent review, and force employees into expensive federal litigation. Learn more from Shaun Southworth and submit your comment by Monday, September 28.
» Be HEARD: 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 with other published awards and determine whether they need to strengthen their applications. 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 Tuesday, October 13.
EVENTS
Postcard-Writing (Un) Happy Hour
You know those people who stay home during the midterms? Let’s motivate them. Attend one or both of these upcoming (un) happy hours and pitch in to our postcard-writing campaign. Learn more at FBF Events.
Roybal Rally
CDC Alumni and Friends are hosting an SOS for Health rally on September 24, 5 - 6 pm. 1600 Clifton Road. More information about the movement here.
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.
UNION CORNER
» RA Updates: A number of CDC employees who requested telework as a reasonable accommodation (RA) have recently received Level 4 approval in the Telework Management System. 🎉 Please note that employees will still need a signed HHS 996 form to complete the RA approval process. For more info and guidance, check out our website.
» AFGE Local 2883 Virtual Union & Benefits Briefing: September 23 (6 PM EST) — Join Union Benefit Organizer Ashley Lazenko for a 30-minute virtual briefing on benefits available through AFGE and Benefit Architects, including dental and vision plans, short-term disability, hospital indemnity, critical illness and accident coverage, retirement options, and more.
» Union Members in Need: We are starting to highlight fellow union members in need of donations via the voluntary leave transfer program (VLTP). If you are able to donate annual leave hours, please consider doing so.
Kimberly Alexander (PHIC/DWD)
Komal Peer (NCEH/DEH)
If you are approved for VLTP and would like your name featured to receive leave donations, send your name and CDC user ID to info@afge2883ga.org.
» 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
» Beware: A Spooky Surprise Ahead
Our Halloween collection is back, and it’s serving all the eerie vibes this season. 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.
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:
» RFK Jr. Acquires Palantir to Monitor Hobbits’ Vaccination Status - Secretary Kennedy accuses two individual “halflings” of possessing a dangerous vaccine which could harm the power of Kennedy’s dark lord, Peter Thiel.
» Please consider becoming a subscriber. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
(TEA)SPOON OF THE WEEK
» Shout out to our fellow spoons who shared screenshots of an internal measles dashboard, in efforts to maintain transparency with the public. Learn more in this letter from Congress to the CDC Director.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
» On your next break, try out Bug Invaders - a retro arcade game where you defend the lab from viruses and bacteria with drugs and vaccines.
» Free Yoga with Amanda. Restorative Yoga Class Saturday, September 19, at 10 am, Decatur Library. To register: https://events.dekalblibrary.org/event/16754614
» How to Protect Your Brain as You Age | Greater Good
» Suicide Prevention Month Resources from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
» Rumors of a Canadian LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline available in the USA may have been false, but The Trevor Project is still here for you.
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» September 13: CDC Director Erica Schwartz silent amid measles epidemic, virus season | The Hill
