NTEU Tasmania division secretary Kelvin Michael said the announcement was a relief to staff who have been fighting for a single staff enterprise agreement for more than a year.

Despite the extended bargaining process, which saw union industrial action at times halted by court order, Dr Michael said it was pleasing to see a major step taken.

“A lot of work has been done and a lot was done quite rapidly in a sequence of meetings in December,” he said.

“We have an agreed position between us and the university on some key points, now we move into a drafting phase come January.”

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Calford wrote to staff heralding the “significant milestone”.

“I am delighted to advise that the university has reached a Heads of Agreement with the National Tertiary Education Union and the Health and Community Services Union; and final discussions are occurring with the Community and Public Sector Union,” he wrote.

It’s expected a finalised deal will be presented to members in February for voting and approval by the Fair Work Commission. The new deal will extend until 2021.

Significant changes under the new agreement include security for family violence leave, paid parental leave, a re-commitment to the university’s position on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, and greater job security and superannuation support for fixed-term staff.

An 8.5 per cent wage increase across five years and a change in employment incremental bands have also satisfied union members, Dr Michael said.

“It is good news … the wage increase this agreement will provide when it’s finalised will be firmly in line with other agreements in the sector,” he said.

UTAS has been contacted for comment.