The situation you describe is a rarity, a race to the bottom and disincentives employees moving roles for career progression If they wish to retain any benefits (ie. PTO, good health care etc).
I was lucky, I worked for a UK/Japanese company in California and got a whopping 20 days PTO without the need for accrual.
I only know one person that had similar - he had worked for the State Dept for over 40 years.
Everyone else, in long term employment and good middle/senior manager roles, teachers, a couple of Directors across highly successful brands, Inc silicon valley, had less PTO.
So respectfully, you're talking out of your ass.