This commonly expressed idea that companies are out to screw everyone is divisive and poisonous. "Companies" don't make decisions on how much to pay someone, people do. And most people, by definition, are decent and have a strong understanding of what's fair. Again, there are exceptions but assuming you work in a field where there are other career options, staying in a sociopathic working environment shouldn't even be up for discussion.
I might be considered a doormat because I don't demand what I deserve. But the very fact that I don't seems to turn into fair pay, good working conditions and honesty. Sure, it's one data point. But I've given it a lot of thought and noticed that people who are constantly demanding what the deserve are highly unpopular and frequently unhappy.
Most companies aren't out to screw you, but I've worked for a few (I'm 40 this year), and the vast majority of them aren't actively concerned with not screwing you, which works out to the same thing practically speaking when it comes to raises and other advancement within the company over time.
There is an old adage about the easiest way to get a raise in the tech field being to move to a new company. This is, in my experience, absolutely and nearly universally true (there are a select few companies that really stay on the ball with regards to keeping up with salary adjustments for existing employees, but they are very few and very far between).
I might be considered a doormat because I don't demand what I deserve. But the very fact that I don't seems to turn into fair pay, good working conditions and honesty. Sure, it's one data point. But I've given it a lot of thought and noticed that people who are constantly demanding what the deserve are highly unpopular and frequently unhappy.