Asia Tech Wire (Oct 9) -- Boeing has withdrawn a pay offer to striking machinists of a 30% pay rise over four years, according to the Financial Times.

This means that negotiations between the airplane manufacturer and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents the striking machinists, over ending the strike have broken down again.

And the strike, which has been going on for nearly a month, will continue as Boeing's key manufacturing plant on the U.S. West Coast that produces commercial airplanes remains shut down.

According to the report, Boeing and the IAM were in talks with federal mediators on Monday and Tuesday over a 30% wage increase and increased retirement benefits.

However, negotiations broke down and Boeing and IAM blamed each other for the impasse.

Boeing said it had withdrawn the pay offer and said there was no point in further negotiations at this time.

Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing's commercial airplanes division, said in a letter, "Our team bargained in good faith."

"Unfortunately, the union did not seriously consider our proposals," she said.

For its part, the IAM said the bargaining committee stands ready to continue mediation or direct negotiations with Boeing.