double-breasting

[duhb-uhl-bres-ting]

noun

1. the practice of employing nonunion workers, especially in a separate division, to supplement the work of higher-paid union workers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-breasting¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Equity has withdrawn a grievance filed last year against producers and Broadway League members Barry and Fran Weissler and their company, the National Artists Management Co. , which licensed the hit musical, for “double-breasting” — profiting from union and nonunion workers at the same time.

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In turn, Equity opened the double-breasting grievance against the Weisslers and their company, which was found to have a financial interest in the non-Equity tour.

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Many labor supporters instead backed the more liberal Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, who declared that “when I’m president of the United States, every double-breasting, scab-hiring, union-busting employer in America will know that the working people of America have a friend in the White House!”

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Few businesses in the Washington area had openly started nonunionized sister companies — a practice known as “double-breasting” — for fear of irritating trade unions.

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This week the House is expected to vote on, and is likely to approve, the double-breasting legislation.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive