featherbedding

(noun)

The employment of more workers than is necessary because of union rules, especially upon the introduction of new technology

Related Terms

Examples of featherbedding in the following topics:

  • Cross-Training and Job Sharing

    • Job sharing should not be confused with the more pejorative term featherbedding, which describes the deliberate retention of excess workers on a payroll.

  • Partisan Cooperation and Conflict

    • Taft-Hartley also prohibits what is called featherbedding, union practices requiring an employer to pay for unnecessary work or unnecessary workers.