>A lot of people in a lot of places are dependant on their employer, and can't just get a new job if they lose the one they have.

And I already said that that is the problem.

>Those people know to keep their mouths shut.
>Is this, to you, completely unrelated to freedom of speech?

Will they be subject to physical force (being beaten, locked up, shot, etc.) if they they speak out?
If so, it has to do with freedom of speech, if not, it doesn't.

To exaggerate it a bit:
If a slave does not dare to speak out against his master out of fear that he'll be withheld food, would you really call this a problem with freedom of speech?