Dozens of former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees are fighting to be reinstated after being laid off due to shifting guidance from the government office. The workers, who were in their probationary period at the CDC, were part of the 14% of staff who were terminated on Valentine’s Day as part of broader cuts across federal agencies. These employees were previously working in critical divisions such as cancer prevention, foodborne diseases, infectious disease readiness, overdose prevention, global health, and more.
As the deadline approaches for many of these workers to lose their paid administrative leave and be officially fired, they have sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CDC leadership, requesting to be reinstated. The letter argues that the termination process did not follow due process requirements and should be deemed unlawful. The workers highlight their dedication to the CDC’s public health mission and commitment to serving the American people.
Despite some agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration and CDC, rehiring some of the laid-off employees, many remain in limbo or are struggling in the competitive health and science job market. The American Federation of Government Employees has demanded that federal agencies reinstate the fired workers, citing a revision in guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management that gives agencies the authority over personnel matters.
The workers are hopeful that their plea for reinstatement will be heard and that they can continue their important work at the CDC. The ongoing support from organizations like Bloomberg Philanthropies helps to ensure that coverage of chronic health issues, like this situation at the CDC, is brought to light and supported. The fight for reinstatement continues as these dedicated employees seek justice and the opportunity to continue their vital work in public health.
