I thought you were saying employers were irrational, malevolent/exploitive or 'nonsense'-driven, i.e. life's unfair because 'the man' is holding everyone down. Which of your points did I miss or misunderstand?

Gordon B. Hinckley believed: "The world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field." I've found that to be true.

My first year out of college I made <$30k (uninteresting story; I made trade-offs). In between then and now my income has grown many times that. I don't think my employer then or employers since were materially more or less exploitive or non-sensical than one another. What value I exchange(d) in return for my compensation has changed a lot. I've never really received a material raise outside of a promotion or new job.

If someone has become proficient in something valuable and are not getting a fair return I believe they should find a new way to monetize (different employer or entrepreneurial venture). If they can't find that compensation elsewhere they probably misestimate their present value proposition and/or should consider a change (gain more valuable skills, adapt vocations, or adopt a more grateful attitude). I don't think the victim mentality is helpful.