I would really be interested in someone expounding on how our being denied the interests that we have been working for, for over a decade, is somehow in our interestes

Because they plan on buying us out and transferring the shares would be a waste of administrative money, but worse - a mess with taxes. Huge headache for sure + the fact you would have to pay them. It's in our interest because it means they plan on buying us out and "being friendly" as management says would be beneficial.