It's difficult to disagree with much of what you say, PC.
You're right that there shouldn't, under normal circumstances, be a 'winner'. But this industrial dispute isn't like many others. It's messier, nastier, dirtier and more public. And because it's so public, because the public feel they deserve the right to be involved in this dispute, I think both sides see a need for someone to come out on top.
Again, I agree that there shouldn't normally be a winner in this dispute, but I fear that in this one, someone winning is the only way it'll ever come to an end.