Beta was not better than VHS. Anybody could build a competing VHS machine, and it supported feature length films.
I would go so far as to say that yes most choices do end up with the best one being used, because people like nice things. Programmers just aren’t persuasive people in general, give it time.
Or what, they’ll go out of business? They’re essential for defense and the economy, too big to fail.
They’re betting on getting bailed out and outlasting the strike. For that, it’s perfect timing to deny the union a deal.