A union representative for workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard says morale is low as workers go without pay during the government shutdown.The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 4 represents 2,000 workers at the shipyard.Union Vice President Travis Cotton said everyone is still showing up to work and doing their jobs because they believe they're vital to this country's security, but workers are still struggling."We all have nothing to do with the situation," Cotton said. "We're just looking to provide a service to the country and to receive the pay that we deserve."He said people have no money for gas to get to work, and parents are struggling to provide for their families.Down the road at the National Passport Center, an employee who asked to remain anonymous said they were worried they would lose their job if they spoke out.The worker said the passport center is self-funded organization, and in past shutdowns, workers there have been paid, but no one will give them an answer about why that's not the case for this shutdown or why other branches of government similar to theirs are being paid.Cotton said workers are leaning on one another to try and get through the shutdown. There was already a food pantry at the shipyard, and it is now accessible 24 hours a day."Everybody's really trying to provide information for one another to see if there's anything that they can do to assist in this current situation," Cotton said.He said several members of shipyard leadership have been stepping up to make sure the pantry is filled, using their own money and volunteering their time. He said it needs to be restocked often.Cotton said he had a message for lawmakers."Get to work. Go to work. Start having discussions. Make your phone calls," he said. "And you need to get the government back open. They're people that are in a critical time right now, and it's completely unacceptable that federal employees are put into this position, and we have no control over what's going on."He said workers are grateful for the support of the community, saying several places are offering discounts and resources for shipyard employees.