The BPIF held a meeting of its regional chairmen yesterday and will follow that by meeting the union today to reveal its decision.

A national agreement has not existed in print for two years after BPIF members mandated the federation not to negotiate.

Unite national officer Steve Sibbald said that Unite was hopeful of securing a deal, which it considers to be the "lifeblood" of the industry, but based on the previous BPIF member position it was not confident.

Sibbald said: "If the discussion is short tomorrow we will know that is the end of the agreement for good - this is a last-ditch attempt to save it.

"We will listen to anything they have to say because we want to get this back on track, we want that safety net for our members, we want a level playing field and we feel it is good for the industry."

BPIF director of corporate affairs Andy Brown confirmed that the two parties would meet tomorrow, but said that the federation's position would not be disclosed until it had talked to the union.

He added: "From our meeting we now have a position on the national agreement."