Most jobs will give you a performance review and a raise every year to account for inflation and any increased duties you’ve taken on. We increase minimum wage by massive amounts after far too many years which causes all sorts of economic concerns, business complaints, and just a bunch of arguments everywhere. Shouldn’t they just increase minimum wage 3.5% or whatever, every single year?
Cost of living adjustments need to become a regular and expected demand from workers. Because yes, if they conveniently fail to give you a raise that at least meets inflation every year, they are effectively cutting your pay in a way that the legal system has absolutely no problems with.
Edit: Not just minimum wage, ALL wage. Inflation adjustments are the bare minimum for the company to be maintaining your value. Performance raises etc. need to happen in addition to that.