what is a featherbedding strike
DEFINITION of 'Featherbedding'. Term used to describe the practice of a labor union requiring an employer to hire more workers than necessary for a particular task. Next Up. Featherbedding has developed over time as unions respond to workers being laid off because of technological change. These lay-offs have caused unions to seek some way to retain workers, even though there may be little work for them to perform.