A union requirement that a truck driver has to be hired to work in a train station would be an example of

A union requirement that a truck driver has to be hired to work in a train station would be an example of

A work expansion.

B featherbedding.

C work requirements.

D work stabilization.

The correct answer and explanation is:

The correct answer is B) featherbedding.

Explanation:
Featherbedding refers to the practice of requiring employers to hire more workers than necessary for a given task. This practice often involves creating artificial jobs or positions that serve no significant purpose other than to satisfy union demands. In the example of a union requiring that a truck driver be hired to work at a train station, even if there is no actual need for such a position, this would be a classic example of featherbedding.

Featherbedding can take different forms, such as requiring the employment of workers who are not necessary for the actual tasks at hand, or imposing restrictive rules that increase labor costs without improving productivity. In the context of the transportation industry, unions might negotiate for work rules that require hiring additional workers or maintaining jobs that could otherwise be automated or eliminated. These practices are typically viewed as inefficient by employers and can lead to higher operational costs.

Historically, featherbedding has been criticized for contributing to inefficiency in certain industries, particularly in the early and mid-20th century when labor unions were more powerful. The term “featherbedding” comes from the idea of providing an overly soft, cushioned environment for workers, which metaphorically suggests that the workforce is being made unnecessarily large or overly comfortable.

In contrast to work expansion, work requirements, or work stabilization, which focus on increasing productivity, efficiency, or job security, featherbedding does the opposite by inflating the number of workers needed without adding value to the work. While unions often defend featherbedding as a way to ensure job security for their members, employers argue that it leads to inefficiency and drives up costs.