THE Labour Court said on Thursday that strike action by construction and civil engineering workers is protected. Spokesman for the South Africa Federation for Civil Engineering Contractors, Hennie Botha, said Safcec is not prepared to comment on the outcome yet. Safcec earlier said more than 5000 members of the Construction and Allied Workers’ Union and the Building Construction and Allied Workers’ Union downed tools on Wednesday to protest against a wage dispute. Cawu general-secretary Thabo Morale said more than 20000 workers participated in the mass action since Wednesday.