Thus the strikers that I have spoken to at work each day have a position (right or wrong) that they should not be penalised for taking part in a lawful dispute and they are seeking to protect that right.
1. It seems it wasnt a lawful strike
2. Re 'Rights' See the article above in particular this paragraph
Under UK law the starting point is that an employee generally has no rights against an employer who has treated him less well than others because he took part in industrial action.