Roth IRAs are good in that your investment gains are not taxable when withdrawn later. But you can only contribute $8,000/year max. A 401K is $30,000/year max.
401K plans are typically not run well with only average offerings and high fees. But private sector employees have little else to save and invest in for retirement. If an employer offers nothing, then what does that say about an employer? How much the employer spends on a 401K plan is public record. They spend surprisingly little.
College football money has been manipulated in a similar way, with coaches & ADs receiving outsized salaries while players received little. This imbalance is the reason college football is in its current state.