Stoppage by 33,000 employees has lasted more than seven weeks but improved terms include 38% pay rise

Striking Boeing staff have been urged by their union to vote for an improved contract offer including a 38% pay rise over four years, raising hopes of an end to the stoppage after more than seven weeks.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) that represents the 33,000 workers has endorsed the new pay deal, which also includes a bigger bonus for signing up, and will ballot members on Monday in a vote that could end the long-running dispute.