» This is what HOPE feels like 💙 Midterm election results by state here. Want all the Georgia demographic deets? Explore Georgia Votes.
» Public health takes its seat at the Congressional table. Public Health Docs Storm the Senate | Substack
» F…orget your feelings. OPM formally discontinues Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey | Federal News Network
» You don’t say. Many federal employee separations were not truly ‘voluntary,’ survey shows | Federal News Network
» Disgusting and shameful. His story represents too many illegally fired dedicated public servants. Trump fired him. The ‘DEI Watchlist’ shamed him. Then came 500 job rejections. | The Washington Post (archive link)
» A completely preventable tragedy. Child dies of measles in New York’s first such death in 30 years | STAT News
» The new normal? PubMed Pauses Major Journal; CDC Alert Blocked; DOGE Chief's Spouse Hired at HHS | MedPage Today
Welcome to the 86th 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 FBF/L2883 joint legal team is on fall break until November 18. You can read the most recent legal update here. For those who are managing their own MSPB RIF appeals, we encourage you to check out Merit Service Advocates, a resource launched by former MSPB board member Raymond Limón. They have an excellent pro se RIF appeal guide.
» 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.
CALLS TO ACTION
» DJ Fed-Up dropped their debut album 📀📀📀 DJ Fed-Up is, of course, the premier DJ providing the musical outlet we all need in today’s frustratingly crazy fed life. The album is available on all your favorite music apps, with a suggested donation of $15 to support CDC Mutual Aid. Listen to the album here and make a donation on CDC Mutual Aid’s website.
» Still with the government and thinking about federal benefits open season? Check out this FEHB plan comparison tool to see what each plan will cost. You may want to take a seat first…perhaps near some tissues. We’re just sayin’.
EVENTS
🌊🌊🌊 (Un) Happy Hour
» Join us to celebrate the election results this Friday, November 6 from 5 - 8pm at Sceptre Brewing. Hope to see you there 💙
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.
Volunteers Needed for Community Thanksgiving Event
» On Saturday, November 14 at 9am, give thanks by giving back with Los Vecinos de Buford Highway. Volunteers are needed to help with setup, food prep and distribution, and activities for Los Vecinos’ annual community Thanksgiving event. Register here if you’d like to help.
» 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
» This week’s issue of the Career Corner is full of great info, including new Hot Jobs, useful articles, and an upcoming Celebrate Veterans Virtual Career Fair.
» Don’t miss career-related events and opportunities. Join our Opportunities for Former HHS Staff LinkedIn Group and follow NPHC on LinkedIn.
» Want to help make Career Corner happen? Sign up to volunteer.
UNION CORNER
» Public Service Viewpoint Survey: AFGE 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, confidential, and important in the absence of OPM’s Federal Employment Viewpoint Survey. Please complete the survey outside your normal working hours by Dec. 4, 2026. The survey takes about 10 minutes.
» PMAP delays: Performance management training for CDC supervisors and managers has been postponed until later this month, potentially affecting the timeline for employees to receive their final PMAP ratings. Employees also have not received their FY27 performance plans, leaving uncertainty about how their work will be evaluated. Consider meeting with your supervisor early to clarify expectations and priorities; avoid surprises later in the year. To view L2883’s August webinar on PMAP Tips and Tricks and download our handouts, visit L2883 member website.
» Union Members in Need: Below are colleagues in need of donations via the voluntary leave transfer program (VLTP). If you are able to donate annual leave hours, please consider:
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 and 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.
» 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:
» Nation Elects RFK Jr. To Nervously Sweat Bullets for the Next Several Months. “Are you supposed to have this extreme tightness in your chest after a midterm?” asks Kennedy.
» 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 you, the voters. You showed up, made your voices heard, and proved that we are stronger together.
» 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.
» #NerdAlert 🪄 CONjuration 🪄 (Atlanta’s fantasy convention) will take place November 6-8, 2026 at the Courtland Grand Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
» Your Happiness Calendar for November 2026
» Yoga with Amanda is back with another free class at the Decatur Library. Register here for the next session on Saturday, November 14 at 10am.
