» Another one bites the dust. Senior CDC official to quit amid turmoil over Trump's vaccine policies: report | Independent
» It’s like they axed CDC’s HR...oh. CDC lags in hiring behind other health agencies after DOGE cuts, union says | ABC News
» Pewter standard of science at work. Trump admin turns to controversial vaccine researcher’s software for abortion pill study | Politico
» Good riddance to bad rubbish. Calley Means, top RFK Jr. adviser, quits Trump administration | The Hill
» Toothpaste out of the tube. OPM Violated Privacy Law in Giving DOGE Access to Federal Employee Personal Info, Judge Rules | FedWeek
» Import cattle, import ick. USDA Confirms First Detection of New World Screwworm in U.S. Wildlife | USDA
» Super-duper shameful. RFK Jr. Got Super-Duper Racist In Michigan Last Night | Huffington Post
Welcome to the 85th 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
» In addition to the RIF lawsuits and HHS probie class action appeal, this week's legal update includes a new feature: AFGE's case against OPM challenging new rules designed to weaken civil service protections. The FBF/L2883 joint legal team is watching this case as PMAP season is underway. On the discovery front, the briefing is complete on the motion to compel discovery in the NY v. Kennedy case. Discovery related to the Annual Staffing Plans in the OG RIF case appears to be on hold while the parties hold settlement discussions related to the FEMA CORE employee complaint. The HHS probationary class appeal is on hold while the MSPB awaits the Federal Circuit's ruling on jurisdiction for the probationary mass firings.
» Fired but Fighting has a working group for pro se appellants from all HHS agencies. All members are vetted to ensure that everyone who participates has been subject to the HHS RIF. The group maintains a library to assist with responding to discovery and preparing for the hearing, as well as providing general information about the MSPB appeal process. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.
» Read the legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» Heading to APHA? Join NPHC and The Public Health Workforce Is Not Okay for a Spoons meet-up on Tuesday, November 3, at 8:30am. We'll be meeting in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel next to the convention center. DM Aryn (@aryn.22) on Signal if you have questions or need help finding us. Hope to see you there 🙂
» Get ready to vote with our Election Resources and check out this Hatch Act Primer: Stay Safe this Election Season, a guide to the Dos and Don’ts of political activity while a federal employee. (And yes, we can - and should - vote).
» Pro tip from a GA poll worker spoon: A new rule in the GA election states that all voter names must be recorded by hand in chronological order by the order that they arrive at the precinct (and collected in a single binder.) You won’t notice this much at AIP (early voting) sites, but on election day - expect this extra step in real time to slow the process down. Your name will NOT be associated with your ballot. Plan for this change to the process, allow a little extra time, and VOTE anyway. Want to see the GA voter numbers without the spin? Check out Georgia Votes. GA’s early voting runs through Friday, October 30. Election day is Tuesday, November 3.
» We're all tired. If you're feeling the weight of the attacks on public health, take a moment to read A Call to Address Moral Injury among Public Health Professionals for personal, organizational, and policy-level solutions.
» Volunteer: Got skills to share and rage to channel? Sign up to volunteer. We need YOUR help maintaining the events page, organizing gatherings and social events, or any way YOU would like to contribute.
EVENTS
» Now - November 1: Visit the “Scarecrows in the Garden” exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Find more information on vaccine history on the NPHC website.
Out of the Darkness Walk
» Sunday, November 1 at 1:30pm ET. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk. Join the CDC and Friends team to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Buy the team tee 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 you can read last week’s edition here. Until next week, check out a few new public health jobs posted by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
» 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.
» Want to help make Career Corner happen? Sign up to volunteer.
UNION CORNER
» Public Service Viewpoint Survey: AFGE has partnered with The Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, to administer the Public Service Viewpoint Survey. The results will provide an independent, standardized, and publicly available view of federal government employees. Your participation is voluntary and confidential and is especially important in the absence of the Federal Employment Viewpoint Survey previously administered by OPM. Please complete the survey outside your normal working hours by Dec. 4, 2026. The survey should only take about 10 minutes.
» L2883 Lunch Meet-Up at Roybal Campus: Please join us on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 12pm, in the Building 16 cafeteria at Roybal. Bring your lunch and come hang out with us. Union members and union-curious are all welcome. Stop by anytime during your lunch break.
» Why is AFGE calling—and asking if I’m on duty? AFGE PAC (Political Action Committee) makes election-related calls and texts as part of its get-out-the-vote efforts using voter lists, which may include other members of your household. This does not mean your personal information was stolen or sold. Callers ask if you’re on duty to help protect you, since the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace—if you’re working, ask them to call back when you’re off duty. Participation is voluntary: reply STOP to end texts or ask a volunteer to add you to the Do Not Contact list to stop calls. Regular union dues may support AFGE’s legislative lobbying, but PAC contributions to federal candidates are voluntary and separate. Learn more at AFGE PAC or the AFGE Election Center.
» Union Members in Need: Below are 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.
Ann Trimm (OD/OCO)
Kimberly Alexander (PHIC/DWD)
Komal Peer (NCEH/DEH)
If you are approved for the 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.
CDC MUTUAL AID
Support CDC Mutual Aid at Bookish
» We are excited to announce our partnership with Bookish in East Atlanta Village. Buy that public health book you’ve been craving AND support CDC Mutual Aid at the same time - it’s a win-win. Check out the Public Good Partnership shelves at Bookish and look for titles focusing on public health, community preparedness & emergency response, and the conditions that determine who stays well. When you buy a title from the shelf in the store, 100% of the profits go back to Mutual Aid. Learn more here.
» “There’s Nothing Spookier Than a Future Without CDC” Merch is back 👻
From tees and long sleeves to baby gear and tote bags, this collection has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a way to show support and stay festive, this is the perfect time to grab your favorite piece. Visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network Store: https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/
» 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, medicine, and CDC & HHS. Check out our most recent article from this week:
» Zombified CDC Comes Back to Life to Consume Brains of HHS Leadership. “Atlanta reports a horde of zombies at the General Muir getting caffeine before hunting for RFK Jr.”
» We all need more public health satire to survive - subscribe here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» This week’s spoon goes to the NPHC Scarecrows, who have been named the 2026 winner of the People's Choice Award 🏆
2026 has been a big year for the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Each year, guests are given the opportunity to vote for their favorite scarecrow exhibit. The NPHC scarecrows were the winners with over 100 votes.
Thank you to all for your support of our scarecrows. We appreciate your votes and support ❤️
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
Accessible Nature Connection
» Join a free event by Accessible Nature Connection, where you can learn how to connect with land and ecology in accessible ways, including virtually at home. This event is open to everyone (and especially disabled people). Register here.
» If you’re struggling with grief, overwhelm, or burnout, read this short piece on ways to keep moving.
» If you’re looking for some (cheap) and spooky fun this weekend, check out Atlanta on the Cheap’s list of 100+ Halloween events in metro Atlanta
» #NerdAlert 🪄 CONjuration 🪄 (Atlanta’s fantasy convention) will take place November 6-8, 2026 at the Courtland Grand Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
» Thinking about the upcoming federal open season? Check out this FEHB plan comparison tool to see what each plan will actually cost you. You may want to be seated first…perhaps near some tissues. We’re just sayin’.
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» October 22: Controversial Hepatitis B Vaccine Study Championed by RFK Jr. Won't Proceed | Rolling Stone
» October 25: Finding where resistance has succeeded as Trump faces mid-term blues | Low Down NHS
» October 25: He resigned from CDC leadership. Now he’s fighting RFK Jr. from the outside. | The Washington Post (gift article)
