My advice is US specific (brutalist labor market), and there is little evidence pay is tied to performance quality [1]. Regardless, I understand your perspective and respect it. The situation in the US is so terrible, we can only go up (imho). I am, very reluctantly, pro union because there is no other option.

[1] https://hbr.org/2021/02/youre-not-paid-based-on-your-perform...