Issue 81
BREAKING NEWS
» New Data Release. Detailed analysis from AFGE Local 2883 and the Public Data Observatory shows a 30% Effective Workforce Loss Across CDC | AFGE Local 2883
» A mission without a people. 'Zombified' C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission | The New York Times
» The fool’s version of “gold standard science”? Trump Administration Suppressed USPSTF Recommendations | Medpage Today
» Guess pandemics will no longer affect the U.S.🤷 U.S. Rejects U.N. Declaration on Preparing for Future Pandemics | The New York Times
» Is this a good use of our tax dollars? EPA launches drinking water study looking for traces of abortion pills | The Hill
» But no tax on tips, amiright? OPM sets 40% cap on high performance ratings for federal employees | Federal News Network
» We love our unions. ❤️🔥 Trump Administration Settles With Unions Over Shutdown Cuts | Bloomberg Law
» Even AI disagrees with that. A.I. Is ‘Better Informed’ Than Doctors, Kennedy Tells Industry-Backed MAHA Summit | New York Times
Welcome to the 81st 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 to the National Public Health Coalition, grabbing some 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.
LEGAL UPDATES
» The shutdown RIF saga is finally over: On September 25, AFGE and OPM reached a settlement agreement on this lawsuit. The government has agreed to "remove any language from their operative contingency plans for a lapse in appropriations that...provides for initiation of RIFs during a lapse in appropriations." The original AFGE v. Trump lawsuit against the government-wide RIFs last year continues, though the Department of Justice is working to negotiate a settlement for that as well. Meanwhile, NY v. Kennedy is heating up, with plaintiff states filing a motion for discovery on September 11 after HHS refused to provide a complete administrative record.
» This week's legal update includes details on these lawsuits, as well as an update on the HHS probationary class action appeal and a primer on the consolidation of HHS RIF appeals in the MSPB. You can read the most recent legal update here.
» Fired But Fighting has a working group for pro se appellants from different HHS agencies. 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 October 14. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.
CALLS TO ACTION
» 📣 For the resilient staff still at CDC and those unlawfully fired or pushed out: Please help us get this information out. AFGE Local 2883 has launched a new website and video documenting the staff CDC has lost from March 2025 to May 2026, including detailed data across centers, divisions, and branches.
📰 Read the NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/health/cdc-staff-cuts-rfk-jr.html
💻 Please share the website and video with your networks — current and former colleagues, friends, family, professional associations, and others who care about CDC and public health.
» Get ready to VOTE and serve as a poll watcher or a poll worker with some Election Resources we’ve compiled.
» Be HEARD. Public Comment needed.
Keep Grant Review Transparent. Currently, NIH grant applications are assigned a numeric rating, which applicants use to compare their scores with other published awards and determine if 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.
The Census is in Trouble. Among other changes, this administration proposes removing race and ethnicity questions from the 2030 Census. Now is your time to exercise your rights and ensure your concerns are in the federal record. Learn more and comment here by Tuesday, October 13.
» Stay Safe this Election Season: A Hatch Act Primer - the Dos and Don’ts of what you can do politically while you are a federal employee (and we can ALL vote). Get more information about the Hatch Act from the Office of Special Counsel.
EVENTS
Postcard-Writing (Un) Happy Hour
» Midterms are coming, and we need voters to show up. Join us for our TOMORROW’S (un) happy hour and pitch in to our postcard-writing campaign. A few handwritten words may be the nudge someone needs to vote. Learn more at FBF Events.
No Kings Rally
» Saturday, October 17: Sign up to join a No Kings Rally. Check here to find an event in your local area.
Into the Wood Chipper
» Wednesday, October 21, at 4:30 pm: Nicholas Enrich, a former USAID employee and best-selling author, shares a whistleblower’s account of how USAID was dismantled. Free to attend. RSVP here.
» Keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters. Love event planning? Sign up to volunteer as an event coordinator. We think you’d be great at it. ✨
CAREER CORNER
» Career Corner is off this week, but check out last week’s edition for 🔥Hot Jobs 🔥, upcoming job fairs, and more.
» Don’t miss career-related events and opportunities. Join the Former HHS Staff LinkedIn Group and follow NPHC on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.
UNION CORNER
» RA Updates: A number of CDC employees who were in the middle of requesting reasonable accommodations received an email this week stating that their RA request would be administratively closed. This included employees who had already provided medical documentation and those who had requested an extension of the deadline to provide documentation. We are still working to figure out what happened and alerting HHS that these messages were likely sent in error. In the meantime, if you believe you received this administrative closure email in error, we suggest you reply to HCA.ReasonableAccommodations@hhs.gov and your reasonable accommodation coordinator (if assigned) for a status update on your RA request. Include a copy of your previous communication, but do not include any medical documentation. We will provide additional guidance as we learn 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:
Want even more? Visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network Store: https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/
» Be Part of the Message: Share Your CDC Mutual Aid Merch Moments
Help us reach new audiences and strengthen our CDC mutual aid fundraising. If you have photos of yourself wearing CDC Mutual Aid merch, please 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
Pets 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…and it is now officially one year old 🎉. Thank you all for joining us during this time. Enjoy some of our most popular stories from the past year:
CDC to Detail Detailees to Other Details to Cover Detailee’s Details
New PMAP Guidance for HHS Staff No Longer on a 1 to 5 Scale and Must Range from 1 to 1
» We all need more public health satire to survive - subscribe here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
(tea)SPOON OF THE WEEK
» This week, several brave (tea)spoons shared their experiences with reporters at the New York Times, resulting in this excellent article on the state of the CDC workforce.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
Running on Empty? The Two-Hour Reset
» Thursday, October 1, 6-8 pm: Dr. Alduan Tartt, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, minister, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Georgia Board Member, will share strategies for lowering stress, staying calm under pressure, and increasing capacity for everything life is asking you to carry. Register here.
atlFreefair
» Saturday, October 3, 11 pm - 5 pm: Fall atlFREEfair at The Friendship Center. Learn more here.
» Attention Signal users: take a look at this blog post describing updated ways to back up your Signal data.
» Welcome two new pandas to Zoo Atlanta 🐼🐼.
» Have you heard of the Front Yard Tree Program? Eligible Atlanta-area residents can have free canopy trees planted in their yards by Trees Atlanta, beginning in October 2026. Submit your request here.
» Hey book lovers: Save the date for the Decatur Book Festival, happening October 2-3.
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» September 26: ’Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission | The New York Times
