All that nonsense about pools and targets and budgets is just a polite way of the buyer saying “we are betting you will not quit for x number”.

As a labor seller, you should always just think of employers as buyers, and negotiate the way you would in any transaction. If you think you can get more, then shop around for a different buyer. Or a different line of business if your buyers are not earning much profit themselves.

In order to sell at a high price, someone else must be buying...

This market maker analogy really isn't a win.

And it is not a market maker analogy, it has nothing to do with market making.

The point is, the buyer dictating price is “normal” because sellers often are not in a position to turn down the offer, whether it be due to them not having an option or not being willing to take a risk.