MISHAWAKA — Hundreds of local workers laid off because of the American Axle strike are hoping the two sides come up with a contract soon.

American Axle officials are calling a new contract proposal from striking workers an improvement but not good enough.

The workers have been on strike for six weeks now, hoping to keep their wages and benefits where they are.

American Axle wants to lower salaries to stay competitive in the auto parts industry. In fact, there are now reports that the company is threatening to take jobs overseas if an agreement cannot be reached.

About 400 workers at the H2 plant in Mishawaka have been off the job for more than five weeks now because of the strike.

“Yeah, it’s been about six weeks now," said Greg Crane. He’s one of 400 H2 workers that were laid off.

The American Axle strike has impacted 29 plants that rely on their parts, and put thousands out of work.

“Get up every morning, get the kids off to school and then get ready for the day. Clean the house — but there's only so much house I can clean,” said Jim Harwood, who was laid off from the H2 plant.

But Harwood says filling his day is really the biggest impact he’s feeling right now, and he’s not concerned yet.

H2 workers get unemployment plus supplemental benefits from the union to get by.

“It's not quite a full work week paycheck, but it's not bad,” explained Crane. “It's doable if you watch what you're doing."

One worker who was also laid off from the H2 plant told WSBT off camera that she won't start worrying until they hit the year mark.

As for heading back to work, Crane remains optimistic. He points to the continued talks between American Axle and the union.

“The thing is GM wants to have 60 days on the lot for things to sell. Right now they're getting low on some of those vehicles," he said. "So, I think there will be a little pressure from GM.”

Harwood agrees.

“We'll be back to work," he said. "I mean it might not be this week or next, but we'll be back."

Nyloncraft is another local plant impacted by the strike. They make parts for General Motors.

Because so many GM plants had to be shut down, they too had to take action.

Last month, Nyloncraft laid off 80 workers and cut the work-week for everyone else down to four days.

A spokesperson said Friday that a handful of workers have been called back temporarily thanks to some activity at GM's Fort Wayne plant.

But not much else has changed. They're also waiting from some good news in Detroit where the negotiations are taking place.