[zamfi]

I don't think we disagree, but what you describe is not necessarily a result of collusion -- maybe the business just doesn't work with higher-paid workers (i.e., product costs more than market is willing to pay) and scales with number of workers, in which case the owner might take whatever workers they can get at cost X, but can't hire any at cost X+1.

Only a profit-averse business owner would turn away revenue-exceeding-costs work merely because it involves paying workers more -- that business will likely not last super long unless there are special circumstances in play.