VERDI, one of Germany’s largest labor unions, called on a total of 219,000 store and market workers in the state of Berlin-Brandenburg to strike. Approximately 300 employees gathered in front of the Berlin Metropolitan Municipality building. In the strike, VERDI demanded a 4.5 percent increase in salaries from employers and an additional wage of 45 euros per month. Protesters called on the minimum hourly wage be fixed at 12.5 euros.