This is the corruption of the US system of business and capitalism (and I'm a capitalist). Expenses are passed down on the employees, and the ruling class reaps the reward.
Employees get paid a salary to work. That's it. That's the agreement. There are no expenses passed down to employees - you're just making that up.
Sometimes the expenses get passed down, but I'll agree that's rare. However I have had employers bill me for my uniforms, and I ain't talkin about the military.
Just like you can "just leave" an abusive relationship, but instead much of the system is abusive to their employees.
B) If the problem is that one profession lacks a union, wouldn't the more natural solution be to start one? Problem solved!