Talks to resolve the fuel dispute, which led to forecourts up and down the country running dry last week, began on Wednesday morning April 4th.
The conciliation service Acas is hosting the talks between representatives of tanker drivers affiliated with the Unite trade union and haulage companies at a secret location in London.
The talks are aimed at bringing an end to the standoff between the two sides over minimum standards for training, safety, pensions and employment conditions.
In keeping with standard procedure, the two parties were due to sit in separate rooms for the initial negotiations, with Acas conciliators acting as intermediaries.
Although sources are optimistic that an agreement can be reached over safety, training and transferring pensions between contractors, it is reported that hauliers are reluctant to discuss the creation of a minimum pay level.
Last month, 69 per cent of drivers at BP, Shell, Esso, Tesco and Sainsbury's supported strike action in a ballot by Unit.
