SAINT PAUL, Minn. — For 30 days now, the federal government shutdown has created considerable uncertainty for approximately 18,000 federal workers who call Minnesota their home.

On Thursday, a handful of federal workers and their union representatives told a special State Senate committee that many of their members are struggling to make ends meet right now without any pay. The workers just missed their first full paycheck and will soon miss a second.

Mark Johnson, a TSA employee in Duluth who also leads the union AFGE Local 899, told lawmakers that his members need help.

"Especially since we're coming up on the holiday season, it's an added stressor that we don't need," Johnson said after the hearing. "Let's get together to get this done. We're showing up to do our job and we're not be

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