The five-week strike of Safran SA workers in Montreal who produce landing gear components for Boeing and Airbus aircraft shows no sign of resolution. Planemakers claim supply-chain problems are hampering production.

A company spokesperson confirmed that workers pickedeted outside Safran's Mirabel factory, Quebec on Tuesday. The company has been operating using employees who aren't striking.

Supply issues have plagued the aerospace industry for several months. Airbus, the European aerospace giant, reduced its estimate for deliveries in this year from 800 to 770 and delayed an increase of several years in narrowbody production. It blamed shortages of parts and engines, including landing gear.

Safran, a French company, and the union in Canada have been involved in conciliation since June 12. This is a Canadian process that resolves labor disputes. Safran has said that it is far from a solution, and the two sides have not reached a consensus.

Safran offered a 14.5% salary increase over a three-year period, whereas the Confederation des syndicats nationaux wants 22%.

Michael Durand, local union president, said: "We have had our demands from the beginning."

He stated that the union had asked the Quebec Ministry of Labor to inspect the factory to determine if non-managers or non-unionized employees were being used to produce parts. Quebec law allows managers to work during a striking period.

Safran's offer was competitive, according to the company, given other aerospace companies operating in the Montreal area.

Christian Scherer told the German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt, that the main problem areas are supply of engine, landing gear, and cabin components.

Durand stated that Safran employees produce parts for the assembly and installation of landing gear for Airbus A320 aircraft at a rate between 10 to 14 units per week. The same parts are produced in other Safran factories. Reporting by Allison Lampert, Seattle; Editing and Revisions by Rod Nickel