The Canadian Auto Workers union said early Wednesday the pace of contract negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers have picked up ahead of a strike deadline next week, but cautioned they have yielded little results, so far.

Union representatives tell CBC News negotiations with Chrysler, however, are stuck in neutral.

"We feel like we've been here three weeks and haven't gotten one step forward," said Dino Chiodo, president of the CAW's Chrysler master bargaining committee. "If we continue to deal with these type of people at the table, we're never going to be able to get an agreement. We think we've got a plan that makes sense. It talks about stabilizing costs."

Chrysler officials say they're trying to negotiate the best deal possible to keep the company competitive.

Chiodo said the automaker has not been receptive to the union's proposals.

"We have our material, our strategies, our discussions in order. We believe that we can make this work, and if there's willing partners, we can be creative enough to get this done," Chiodo said.

His CAW Local 444 represents nearly 5,000 auto workers at Chrysler's Windsor Assembly Plant, where the company's flagship minivan is built.

The union reports that negotiations are progressing better with GM and Ford.

The current contracts expires next Monday night.

With files from Canadian Press