PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Federal workers protested at City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza at lunchtime to call attention to congressional attempts to further freeze their pay and slash their benefits in attempt to solve the nation’s debt crisis.

National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley says, “Federal employees need to be respected for the work they do for the country. They should not be looked to by this congress to balance this debt crisis on their backs. We realize there are real issues but federal employees did not cause them and they should not be looked to solve them.”

Members of unions representing the IRS, FDA and other agencies held signs during the rally. Barry Kleinman, President of National Treasury Employees Unit, explains what  Border and Customs Patrol employees in particular do, “We check cargo examine passengers. Our main goal is to stop terrorism.”

NTEU Philadelphia Chapter President Brian Rudolph (pictured at the podium), “It’s about time that Congress stop making public employees ashamed of the job we do. We are proud of the job we do for this country.”

Representatives of the offices of Congressman Bob Brady and Congressman Chaka Fattah were also on hand to lend their support.

Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio 1060