TENS of thousands of Boeing workers will be placed on furlough after they went on strike last week, halting aeroplane production.

The aerospace company said that it is initiating temporary furloughs “over the coming days” that will affect many US-based executives, managers and employees.

Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg emailed employees yesterday: “We are planning for selected employees to take one week of furlough every four weeks on a rolling basis for the duration of the strike.”

Mr Ortberg also said he and other Boeing leaders “will take a commensurate pay reduction for the duration of the strike.”

It came after the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said that it had concluded two days of talks with the company with “no meaningful progress.

“While we remain open to further discussions, whether directly or through mediation, currently, there are no additional dates scheduled,” the union said.

“We are fully committed to fighting for the contract our members deserve.”

More than 30,000 machinists walked out last Friday in the first action facing the company since 2008, calling for a 40 per cent raise over four years.