Sounds like the way my employer does things in management. Got a problem in say...purchasing? Okay, take the Purchasing Manager and create a new position for him called "Director of Purchasing". Then, promote his former assistant to Purchasing Manager and give them each a raise. Hire a new Assistant Purchasing Manager to replace the old one. Then, when you realize, a year later, that your salary costs have increased dramatically in purchasing and this assitant you hired does absolutely nothing----Pin all of the blame on her and fire her.
There, problem solved!
Oh, and DAMN UNION! (We have no union.)
Regards,
Dave