It's completely legal, and probably a reasonably good life lesson for you in how communicate in the workplace. I don't disagree with what you said necessarily,

It's completely legal, and probably a reasonably good life lesson for you in how communicate in the workplace. I don't disagree with what you said necessarily, but if you think about it from the manager's perspective you basically shoved their nose [edit: and even worse, publicly] in an effort to make employees feel their opinion was valued and a small incentive program for it (the budget for which may not be under their control). Realistically, you were an $8/hr temp. You were extremely replaceable, and you made yourself a net negative in someone's mind. I sincerely hope you find new and meaningful employment in very short order.