I work as a laborer and this is exactly what One of my company's sales people told me and my crew today after our shift in regards to raises.
“You would get the same amount of work done whether we pay you more or what you make now so why pay you more? Money isn't a good motivator.”
Last I checked that is literally the only reason 99% of us choose to work in the 1st place is because we get PAID to.