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When the dust eventually settles from the government shutdown, federal workers in North Dakota and the region will try to forge ahead – still surrounded by political fights and public perception challenges.

As Democrats and Republicans blame each other, labor leaders point out the dedication of federal workers, including those who still have to show up without pay whenever a shutdown happens.

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Ruark Hotopp is national vice president for the American Federation of Government Employees District 8, which represents nearly 20,000 federal workers in the upper Midwest.

He said he hopes the gridlock doesn't perpetuate the stereotype that his union's members are "nothing more than bureaucrats."

"We are dedicated civil servants," said Hotopp. "We're dedicated to serving the American people. We're still human beings and Americans just the same."

Hotopp said federal workers in this region are responsible for things like taking care of military veterans at VA hospitals and conducting food safety checks. He said their commitment doesn't waver over different administrations.

Hotopp said they don't like feeling like political pawns when both parties dig in their heels. And he noted that the current administration's desire to reduce the size of government is another force to contend with.

Hotopp said earlier cuts and layoff efforts by the Trump White House have already put many federal workers in a tough place in terms of job security.

When there's an argument about the government being too bloated, he invited skeptics to take a closer look.

"And I would point at the VA, and say the VA has been chronically understaffed and underfunded for years," said Hotopp. "And so, when we do have complaints about the VA and its wait times, you know, I would say, 'Well, fund it and staff it more than 75 percent and see how great it is.'"

The AFGE sued the Trump administration when the shutdown began for threatening layoffs in the face of a potentially lengthy stalemate.

In a typical shutdown, federal workers are furloughed with hopes of receiving back pay when the government reopens. Workers deemed essential are still required at their posts even when their pay is paused.

No matter their status, labor leaders say a lot of these workers live paycheck to paycheck.