Legal Definitions - featherbedding

Featherbedding is a practice used by unions to ensure job security for their members. It involves requiring employers to hire or keep more workers than necessary, even if it is not needed. This practice is often used to protect workers from losing their jobs due to technological advancements.

Featherbedding is restricted by federal law, and it is considered an unfair labor practice if a union demands payment from an employer for services that are not performed or not needed.

For example, a union may require a company to hire more workers than necessary to operate a machine. This means that some workers may not have much work to do, but they are still paid for their time. This practice can increase the cost of production for the company and make it less competitive in the market.

Another example is when a union requires a company to hire workers for jobs that are no longer needed. For instance, if a company replaces a manual process with an automated one, the union may demand that the company keep the manual workers on the payroll, even if they are not needed.

These examples illustrate how featherbedding can lead to inefficiencies and higher costs for companies. It can also make it difficult for companies to adapt to changes in the market and remain competitive.