As the government shutdown enters its third week, air traffic controllers are bracing for financial uncertainty: potentially weeks of work without a paycheck.

Deemed essential workers, air traffic controllers are expected to work during the government shutdown that began Oct. 1, but are not being compensated during the funding lapse. They received a partial paycheck on Oct. 14 for work performed before the shutdown, but will receive a $0 paycheck for their work over the next two weeks.

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), told Fortune the lack of compensation has heaped financial pressures on workers, who are already working six days a week for a total of 60 hours.

“To think that somehow we can live with, ‘You’ll get paid eventually,’

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