My guess is if Google wanted to fire them for it (even if it was less aggressive) they could have. In most countries you can go on strike, but there are rules

My guess is if Google wanted to fire them for it (even if it was less aggressive) they could have. In most countries you can go on strike, but there are rules and laws on how to do so. Doing some other form of protest (like they did) is likely going to be a violation of workplace policies in a way not protected by law.