I'm a programmer who was laid-off in 1997 by a company that was trying to keep salaries down by laying off people. Unfortunately for them, they didn't look around to see what the environment was like. Word got back that the people who were laid-off were getting salaries of double or triple what was being paid. In the end their cost cutting measure resulted in the loss of 60% of their staff.
Earlier this month, I was laid-off by a different company trying the same strategy. Word is now spreading that I've accepted an offer with a 40% increase. There's a definite feeling of deja vue in the air.