I think asking for lowered compensation is definitely shitty and he should be condemned for that.

However, can someone explain to me the vitriolic opposition to downsizing/layoffs whenever this topic comes up?

I don’t see how anyone has a right be hired and work at X company. It is, after all, their company and their decision. Surely we can all agree that sometimes companies make strategic mistakes in terms of hiring and need to correct them later on. Also, circumstances could simply change, products be canceled or no longer need as much manpower etc.

What am I missing?