If people are in a difficult position in which it is impossible to make any progress, you can refer to the situation as an impasse. The company says it has reached an impasse in negotiations with the union. = deadlock. a situation in which it is impossible to continue with a discussion or plan because the people involved cannot agree at an impasse (passer )
{i} deadlock, standstill, place from which there is no escape; dead-end street, cul-de-sac