The work stoppage threatens to cost Boeing billions of dollars, deepening the crisis at a company already facing significant challenges.
Its impacts are already being felt across the industry and wider US economy as the firm asks suppliers to halt shipments of most parts and takes other steps to save money.
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”.
“While this is a tough decision that impacts everybody, it is in an effort to preserve our long-term future and help us navigate through this very difficult time,” he said in a memo to staff.
“We will continue to transparently communicate as this dynamic situation evolves and do all we can to limit this hardship.
Mr Ortberg said executives would take “commensurate” pay cuts for the time of the strike and that staff on furlough would retain “all benefits”.
“We won’t take any actions that inhibit our ability to fully recover in the future,” he added.
The strike is the first at Boeing since 2008.
Workers had rejected an offer that promised a 25% pay increase over four years and improvements to terms and conditions.
The deal, described by Boeing as “historic”, was recommended to the workforce by union leaders, but overwhelmingly voted down by employees.
