DIVOSH! Never have I ever worked for free! Let's get that straight. I have only accepted the minimum wages in the past because it is legal and nothing done wrong by the employer for offering it.
What the problem is is other people accepting and agreeing to a wage which is less than acceptable. It takes two to tango and the previous thread is right. Supply vs Demand...the more people willing to accept the offerings and promote cheap labor, the lower the next jobs wage will be.
A $50 000 a year job today will be taken next year by another guy who will do it for $5 000 less, while all other costs increase. And the flowon continues.
Although some companies offer above award wages at present, next year they will reduce TO the minimum and yet the job will still be highly sort after!
I'm sure in a few years when the J* cadets and the REX cadets get there upgrades, they won't be paid at the wage a captain is on at present. It will be less and yet each of them will jump at it!