Labor unions representing federal employees suffered a setback Tuesday as a federal judge ruled against compelling the government to pay workers during the ongoing shutdown. Employees at numerous federal agencies have been forced to work without pay since the shutdown began, which the unions say violate labor laws. The judge rejected the unions' arguments, however, stating that the order would cause "chaos and confusion", leaving federal employees at home from jobs essential to keep the country running. A separate suit by unions seeking a preliminary injunction against the government will be heard at the end of the month in the same court.
See "‘The essence of involuntary servitude’: Federal unions sue the Trump administration to get paid for shutdown work", Ann E. Marimow, Deanna Paul, Katie Zezima, Spencer S. Hsu, The Washington Post, January 16, 2019