Hi Amy, First, one correction- "struck" does not mean workers protesting unsatistfying working conditions. The word you're thinking of is "strike". It can be a noun (example: The strike lasted two weeks) or a verb (example: The workers are striking to protest low wages). You can also say "go on strike" as the verb (The workers are going on strike to protest low wages). Remember that the word "strike" also has different meanings, for example, to hit something. "Struck" is the past participle of strike. As for your other question, to be struck by something means that you really notice it. It's a figure of speech that plays on the meaning of "strike" I talked about above- to hit. It's as if the thing you are noticing hits you. It stands out to you; you realize it suddenly. Sometimes people use it to mean something surprises them or has an emotional effect, but it does not always mean surprise. I hope that is helpful, please let me know if you have any questions or if I can make something more clear. :)