Mass RIF Separations Hit HHS a week after Supreme Court Lifts RIF Injunction

Yesterday at 5 p.m., thousands of our fellow federal employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received final separation notices, effective immediately. Thankfully, all CDC employees remain protected under the injunction issued in State of New York v. Kennedy. Still, the loss across the rest of HHS is devastating. Entire teams at several HHS subagencies (FDA, NIH, SAMHSA are a few that we’ve heard be impacted) are being dismantled, dealing a heavy blow to the public health workforce and the communities we serve. 

These workers were originally included in the April 1 Reduction in Force (RIF) but remained on administrative leave for months due to a court injunction in AFGE v. Trump. That changed on July 8, when the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the injunction, allowing the administration to proceed with parts of its sweeping RIF and reorganization plans. 

Although the Supreme Court allowed the broader RIF plan to proceed, some HHS employees remain protected under a separate preliminary injunction issued in State of New York v. Kennedy. That order, issued by U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose, blocks separations at CDC, FDA, and HHS regional offices. 

However, the administration filed a request on July 11 to narrow Judge DuBose’s ruling to only specific offices: 

• CDC 

  • National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention 

  • Division of Reproductive Health 

  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

  • Office on Smoking and Health 

  • National Center for Environmental Health 

  • National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities  

• HHS 

  • Office of Head Start 

  • Center for Tobacco Products 

  • Division of Data and Technical Analysis under ASPE 

That request is still pending. 

Final Layoff Notices Sent July 14 

For HHS divisions not covered by New York v. Kennedy, separation notices were sent Monday, July 14, around 5 p.m., catching many employees off guard. These notices marked the official end of employment for thousands of public servants, many of whom spent decades supporting America’s health and safety. They are now facing job loss with little warning and even fewer options.

Our Union Family Mourns This Loss 

We are heartbroken for our colleagues from other HHS agencies who now find themselves out of work due to this harmful restructuring. These are scientists, public health advisors, data analysts, administrative professionals, frontline staff, and dedicated workers who’ve spent their careers protecting communities across the country. 

We stand in solidarity with every public servant affected by these reckless cuts. The fight isn’t over. Legal battles continue. And AFGE will keep pushing for a federal government that values and defends its workforce. 

We will continue keeping you updated and standing strong together, no matter what comes next.