It's ridiculous that the government can shut itself down and simultaneously demand employees continue working without pay. If my employer did that, I'd be looking for another job. It is unethical for politicians to use other people's livelihoods as a bargaining chip.

TSA has a problem with it's employees refusing to work during the shutdown. The IRS is also an affected agency.

My thought is that if all of the employees collectively refused to come to work without pay, the shutdown would be resolved a lot faster. If air travel was brought to a standstill for a single day even, there would be a lot of pressure put on politicians to end the shutdown.

What are everyone's thoughts? Should the affected employees suck it up and do their jobs knowing they'll get back pay for it? Or, would it be better if they collectively refused to work without pay and made the shutdown truly felt?