[daemonk]

I think this is just subject to normal market forces and very product dependent?

If you have engineering skills that are not easily found, then you can ask for more. If the founders don't give it to you, then they might not be able to build their idea.

If the product do not require niche or sophisticated engineering, then the founder will just move on to the hordes of candidates that can do the job.

I don't think "fairness" can be intrinsic (nor objective) in a market-driven economy. It's always going to be a push-pull, negotiation, calculating business. And you disenfranchise yourself out of this economy if you don't have the stomach for it.