featherbedding

(noun) the practice (usually by a labor union) of requiring an employer to hire more workers than are required.

(verb) treat with excessive indulgence. Synonyms: pamper, featherbed, cosset, cocker, baby, coddle, mollycoddle, spoil, indulge. Examples: "Grandparents often pamper the children." "Let's not mollycoddle our students!."

(verb) hire more workers than are necessary. Synonyms: featherbed.