stalemate at a meeting today in Government offices.

And it is understood the team of high-flying lawyers working for BTC are close to making a decision on whether to appeal against the Telecommunications Commission -- with the result likely to be made public tomorrow.

But while Bermuda Industrial Union and Bermuda Public Services Association leaders were positive last night that headway would be made at the meeting, a BTC spokesperson remained tight-lipped.

She confirmed top management from the telephone company would meet with the Union executives but would not comment on the expected outcome.

BPSA general secretary Ed Ball said only that he viewed the meeting as "progress'' and viewed the appointment as a "step in the right direction'' since the matter was "now in the hands of the Government''. An optimistic BIU president Derrick Burgess said he hoped BTC would agree to "do what they should have been doing all along'' at the morning meeting and agree to abide by the Commission's decision.

"Hopefully we're going to get this sorted out and the workers can stop worrying about their futures and their jobs.'' Last Wednesday the Commission rejected BTC's proposed drastic hikes to local monthly line rental fees and ordered the telephone company to maintain staffing levels unless it first proved cuts would not impair service.