Why? Presumably because they can. After all, in a down economy, who’s going to quit their job?
This is why I remain a steadfast supporter of unions. Say what you like about feather-bedding and corruption, the fact is that if your employer will not hesitate to screw you in the name of padding profits, you need somebody able to draw a line and say NO.
“I’m taking your raise, whatcha gonna do about it?” Bully capitalism. This is the future unless somebody punches them in the face, hard, repeatedly, until they stop.