featherbedding

/ˈfɛðərˌbɛdɪŋ/
noun
  1. The practice of requiring an employer to hire more workers than necessary or to limit their productivity, often as a result of union rules.
    • The union was accused of featherbedding by insisting on a three-person crew for a job that needed only two.
    • The contract included featherbedding clauses that prevented the use of labor-saving equipment.
    • Featherbedding can lead to higher costs for companies and consumers.
Antonyms
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