Boeing is suspending the jobs of tens of thousands of staff in the US in response to a strike that has shut down production of some of its airplanes.

The aerospace giant said US-based executives, managers and staff would be asked to take one week of furlough every four weeks as long as the stand-off lasts.

More than 30,000 factory workers in the northwest of the US went on strike on Friday over pay and retirement packages.

Government officials are now helping to mediate talks between the two sides.

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Chief executive Kelly Ortberg, who started in the job just last month, said executives were trying to reach a new agreement "as soon as possible".

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Workers had rejected an offer that promised a 25% pay increase over four years and improvements to terms and conditions.

...Brian Bryant, the international president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, said he saw Boeing's actions as "smoke and mirrors" meant to distract from the real issue...

He said workers remained angry about wages that have not kept up with the cost of living, and the loss of benefits, such as pensions, in previous negotiations.

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The incident reignited scrutiny of the firm's manufacturing and safety record and has forced it to slow its production of planes.

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