The ELT is following a familiar playbook which was perfected in the eighties by teams at Bain Capital. If you're not familiar; Google "Bain Capital and Mitt Romney". The interest of Vista is only in taking massive profits. Any benefit given the workers is only a coincidence. The stock is devalued, the organization cannibalized (taking massive profits from the sale) and often the US workforce is "let go".
This unethical practice is illegal in many parts of the world (not in the US). So, why are they able to do it? First off, insiders (execs) are offered massive incentives to betray the trust the workers have placed on them (Et tu, Brute?). One look at the payoffs tells the story. Secondly, the labor party in the US is divided. Specifically tech workers are divided, poorly organized (non-unionized) and not experienced in labor relations. The wine and cheese celebrations and promises of financial gain lull the workers into trusting management.
Everyone seems either totally naive at this point, or in on the con. Mid level management and below are telling the ELT one story, whilst telling workers another. The same people who drove the Citrix ship "onto the rocks" are the same people piloting the ship today and although they are not "setting the course", they are in command of the vessel. Most of the seasoned sailors have left, and the vessel is being run by an inexperienced crew and a command in disarray.
The ELT is not getting the full story right now. If they care, they need to reach out to actual team members, not just to directors and above to really understand the true scope of the incompetence. When's the last time an ELT member actually talked to a worker? But it's doubtful anyone in management actually cares about the company anymore.
So, the real question is. When do you get in the life boat? Do you step down onto the dingy while the ship is afloat, or step up as the ship sinks? The choice is yours.