Talks aimed at averting strikes by fuel tanker drivers were adjourned last night and will resume this morning.
Leaders of the Unite union spent all day negotiating with officials from six haulage firms under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas.
Chief conciliator Peter Harwood said: “I am encouraged that talks are continuing and that the parties are committed to finding a way forward.”
The dispute over terms and conditions and health and safety has been brewing for more than a year but flared up last month when Unite announced that workers in five firms had voted to strike.
The government advised motorists to top up with fuel, leading to chaotic scenes at garages as people queued for petrol. And there were calls for Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude to resign after he suggested motorists store fuel in their garages.