whipsawing
n.— «Whipsawing is a term for the corporate tactic of pitting employees at one plant against workers at another plant of the same company. Workers who produce similar vehicles or components find themselves in competition to get new work into their plant. When one group of workers agrees, under intense pressure, to certain concessions, the second group will often agree to give up even more to hold on to their jobs. It’s a vicious downward spiral, and only the bosses come out on top.» —“Workers march on Chrysler headquarters” by Martha Grevatt Workers World Aug. 23, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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