This is the correct take. In the US, workers discussing issues like wages is a protected right (NLRB stuff). Nowhere does that imply a company has to act on tha

This is the correct take. In the US, workers discussing issues like wages is a protected right (NLRB stuff). Nowhere does that imply a company has to act on that talk. That's up to the company. However, it is quite clearly stated by the NLRB that the company cannot threaten or retaliate. In my former position, I had this come up twice, much to my surprise. In both cases, I advised the company of the employee's rights, then recommended a discussion to determine why the employee was dissatisfied. In both cases (though one was much more stubborn than the other), we ended up with favorable outcomes for both company and employee. It can be done, but orgs the size of Apple are more likely to just buy the ability to do whatever they want, anyway. No fine will stop that behavior.