"Workers took to the streets of Hannover on Wednesday as trade unions staged a warning strike demanding better pay and improved working conditions, as government officials are set to meet unions for another round of talks. Footage shows members marching before assembling at Opera Square, many waving union flags and some carrying a banners that read '7 percent minimum, 300 Euros' and 'School social workers are important'. "Everything else has gone up. That's why the wage I had before isn't enough anymore. And now I want to have more, because everything is rising. And our wages can't just stay stagnant. Everyone else is on strike, too. We aren't the only ones, so we have to draw a line somewhere," said a protester. Some protesters called for what they describe as 'fairer distribution' of state funds, saying the government should prioritise its own citizens in light of international conflicts. "It is important to invest in defence. It is important to give to other countries too. But it is also important to invest in social services and hospitals, in medical care, and not just in the economy," said a protester. "The entire political system needs to be turned upside down; something needs to happen. These things they are doing politically - there are things included that we simply don't need, because it's just nonsense. We have to take care of ourselves, as far as foreign affairs go. At some point, you have to draw a line and say, right, we can't give money, we have to think of ourselves first," stated another. The protests come as officials are set to meet trade union groups Verdi, GEW, and DBB for the second round of negotiations for the public sector in Potsdam on January 14-16. Unions have planned further demonstrations planned for Friday, with a third round of talks scheduled for February, if needed."