The cost-based logic behind an employer's thinking is sound. There's a vast difference between years of service and years of experience. Jerry doesn't really need twenty-seven years of experience to do his job. So Jerry is doing work that could easily be done by those with far fewer years of service.
Experience counts only when it adds value to the task at hand.
That may sound harsh, but that's the economic fact. If you think it's too harsh a statement, consider these two examples. First, a storm knocks down a large tree in your backyard. You call two tree removal services for estimates. Second, a storm sends a large tree crashing into some other trees on your property.