Transportation unions in Argentina have caused the country to shut down.

A one-day national strike aimed at protesting income tax rates and a high rate of inflation that demonstrators say is eating up their earnings has led to a national standstill.

On Tuesday, flights were cancelled, schools were shut down, and banks along with thousands of businesses were closed.

The transportation strike has had a domino effect upon the country’s day to day life.

The majority of domestic and international flights were canceled due to the fact that transportation unions represent many airport workers, and a number of school classes were canceled as teachers had trouble getting to work.

As reported in The Associated Press, Roberto Fernandez, the leader of the Automotive Tramways Union, one of the main union organizers, explained to Radio Mitre that despite the success of the protests, "for us there is no happiness here because the country loses. Unfortunately, the government refuses to be reasonable."

The unions say that high taxes and inflation have eroded wage gains and they are demanding a raise in the the minimum income on which taxes are applied.

Officials representing President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's administration say that the tax rates are fair and affect only a small percentage of workers who earn more than $1,765 a month.

Regarding the massive blow to Argentina’s daily business, Anibal Fernandez, the cabinet chief, has explained that the government believes 95 percent of the people who stayed home on Tuesday wanted to work but had no way to get there.

The transportation strike happened during Holy Week, which is a time when business typically slows down anyway, and some people take days off from work to observe the religious holiday.

In Argentina unions hold a great influence, representing about 30 to 40 percent of the 11 million registered workers across the country.