Boeing's critics often claim that two deadly jetliner crashes a few years ago and the blowout of a section of a third plane in January made clear that the aircraft manufacturer cut corners during production and put profits above safety.

Boeing said on Tuesday it has offered additional time and support to the union representing thousands of its striking workers in the U.S. West Coast to vote on its new labor offer, after an earlier Friday deadline was rejected.

Boeing is giving the union representing striking factory workers more time to consider a revised contract offer with bigger pay increases and more bonus money.