[ramtatatam]

I second this opinion. From experience, as I was on both sides of hiring desk, if market offers better pay than the one candidate accepts, it is almost certain candidate will be gone a few months later. I cannot imagine how "universal pay" would work here. If market is forced to pay X then one of the sides would be unhappy and would seek to change the situation.

Also people face different circumstances, like person with mortgage vs person without mortgage, person with savings vs person without savings, person with family vs person with no family. Different circumstances will translate to different pay that will look good in the one's eyes.

Maybe we have some opportunity at the moment (on both ends) - that opportunity will probably be gone after some time, as more people take advantage of it. Market will even out until "the next thing"..