Obama To Federal Workers: 'None Of This Is Fair To You'

Obama To Federal Workers: 'None Of This Is Fair To You'
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about the about progress in the economy since the financial crises that happened five years ago, in the Rose Garden at the White House September 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. The worst financial crisis since the great depression began five years ago this month with the collapse of Lehman Bros., massive home foreclosures, bank failures, massive layoffs and diving stock prices. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about the about progress in the economy since the financial crises that happened five years ago, in the Rose Garden at the White House September 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. The worst financial crisis since the great depression began five years ago this month with the collapse of Lehman Bros., massive home foreclosures, bank failures, massive layoffs and diving stock prices. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama sent a letter to federal employees on Tuesday, apologizing that they have been treated like a "punching bag" in the current political climate and promising to make sure they receive back pay once the shutdown is over.

Thanking them for the "vitally important" work they do every day, Obama said, "You do all this in a political climate that, too often in recent years, has treated you like a punching bag. You have endured three years of a Federal pay freeze, harmful sequester cuts, and now, a shutdown of our Government. And yet, you persevere, continuing to serve the American people with passion, professionalism, and skill."

"None of this is fair to you. And should it continue, it will make it more difficult to keep attracting the kind of driven, patriotic, idealistic Americans to public service that our citizens deserve and that our system of self-government demands," he added.

Approximately 800,000 federal workers will be home without pay during the government shutdown. The only way they will receive back pay is if Congress authorizes it. While that happened during the shutdowns of 1995 and 1996, many people anticipate that they won't be as lucky this time.

Obama pledged in his letter to fight for workers' back pay.

"I will continue to do everything in my power to get the House of Representatives to allow our Government to reopen as quickly as possible, and make sure you receive the pay that you have earned," he said.

The letter Obama sent to federal workers:

HuffPost Readers: Do you work for the government? If so, we want to know what effect a government shutdown would have on you. How would the shutdown affect your ability to do your job? How would it affect the community you serve? Are you considering leaving the public sector? Email us here, and tell us what your job is and what city you live in. Please let us know whether we have permission to quote you by name, and include a phone number if you'd be willing to speak with a reporter.

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