By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-do-your-damn-job-federal-worker-union-leaders-tell-congress-mired-in-shutdown Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: ‘Do your damn job,’ federal worker union leaders tell Congress mired in shutdown Politics Oct 8, 2025 1:35 PM EDT Top union leaders representing federal employees, along with allied labor groups, on Wednesday pressured both parties to reach a solution to end the shutdown. Watch the news conference in the video player above. “No American should ever have to choose between serving their country and feeding their family,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. WATCH LIVE: Senate meets as lawmakers remain in shutdown deadlock Union leaders criticized both parties in Congress but also targeted Trump, accusing him of using federal workers as “political pawns” after warnings Tuesday that back pay is not guaranteed. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. “He intends to either violate the law, or degrade, frighten, antagonize hardworking federal employees whose only crime is caring and wanting to work for the American people,” said Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees. WATCH: Trump threatens no back pay for furloughed federal workers after shutdown ends “Congress, do your damn job,” added Erwin. “And president, you better start obeying the Constitution.” A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
Top union leaders representing federal employees, along with allied labor groups, on Wednesday pressured both parties to reach a solution to end the shutdown. Watch the news conference in the video player above. “No American should ever have to choose between serving their country and feeding their family,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. WATCH LIVE: Senate meets as lawmakers remain in shutdown deadlock Union leaders criticized both parties in Congress but also targeted Trump, accusing him of using federal workers as “political pawns” after warnings Tuesday that back pay is not guaranteed. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. “He intends to either violate the law, or degrade, frighten, antagonize hardworking federal employees whose only crime is caring and wanting to work for the American people,” said Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees. WATCH: Trump threatens no back pay for furloughed federal workers after shutdown ends “Congress, do your damn job,” added Erwin. “And president, you better start obeying the Constitution.” A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now