More than a million workers in France, walked off the job Tuesday to protest government plans to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62.

The strikes brought public transportation to a screeching halt as they closed down buses, subways, planes, post offices and even schools.

It's estimated somewhere between 1.1 million and 2.5 million people participated in Tuesday's demonstrations.

Raising the retirement age is part of a government cost-cutting initiative aimed at reducing debt. Unions say the government is attacking one of France's most cherished social protections.