Agnes Flues – Statement from University of Nottingham branch of UCU

The whole of our branch has been shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Agnes Flues – a hugely valued and much loved member of UoN UCU. The branch committee send our condolences to Agnes’ partner and family.

Agnes became involved in UCU during the 2018 USS strikes, when members took 14 days of industrial action in a powerful  defence of our pensions. Agnes had a long prior history of championing human rights and social justice but by her own admission, her knowledge and experience of trade unions was limited.

Agnes was not one to assume others would do the organising. She quickly became much more involved in the union – helping to organise picket lines, becoming UCU rep in the School of Law and joining the branch committee.  It was soon apparent that Agnes brought something very special – not just a willingness to ‘get stuck in’ and work tirelessly to make things happen (Agnes never stopped being a caseworker, supporting individual members), but a commitment always to seek to bring people together, even across deep divides. This is a very rare skill.  It requires a sharp intellect, to be able to analyse context and chart ways forward, and a generosity of spirit that focuses on constructing consensus rather than imposing pre-determined agendas.  Agnes combined both qualities in a unique way. For many of us it was entirely natural that Agnes should become branch President when the position became vacant in October 2020.

Agnes probably did not see herself as President of one of UCU’s largest branches. She always seemed rather reluctant to take on such roles (as those who sought to convince her to stand for the National Executive can attest!) – but, in a typically Agnes kind of way, once she decided to do something, she gave it all of her commitment.

Agnes shone as the brightest of lights during her time as branch President – the public face of the union through some of the most difficult of times.  Always leading strike action through the USS and ‘Four Fights’ disputes, but also representing UCU in countless meetings with management during the pandemic, and helping develop the branch’s ‘Alternative Financial Strategy’. That provided a forensic critique of how national and local financial strategies were progressively dismantling any concept of the public university. In all of this work she displayed tremendous courage. She was never afraid to stand up and speak out on any issue impacting members of the university community – staff and students.

For branch committee veterans of these difficult years, Agnes’ leadership was, literally, an inspiration. She had a very gentle way of managing difficult meetings, making everyone feel included and valued, and winning broad support for the collective decision. Nobody felt ignored, marginalised or disrespected. Those of us involved genuinely felt we were part of something special.  Whatever the outcome of our disputes (a tremendous victory on pensions, but sadly a very different story on ‘Four Fights’), many of us look back at that time as a moment when we experienced real meaning in what we were doing – not just fighting for pensions and pay but struggling for a much more hopeful and optimistic vision of what the public university could be.  Agnes’ contribution to that collective effort can never be underestimated. She was always at the centre.

This contribution was also recognised by the branch members who offered unstinting support to the union throughout the disputes.  That support was not an accident – it was built on trust between branch leadership and members that had been actively constructed. Members knew Agnes, knew they could approach her and knew they would be listened to.

Inevitably, Agnes’ qualities and skills were recognised more widely in the trade union movement and were in high demand. Agnes took on key roles in the UCU Regional Council, the Nottinghamshire Trades Council and on UCU’s National Executive – but she never sought these positions.  Her activism never involved chasing this position or that, or making sure she was on the platform for some high profile event. Agnes’ activism was much more about drawing others in and building the movement for change.  Agnes’ light shone very brightly, but it did so through an approach to ‘leadership’ that was quite different to how leadership is often enacted and experienced (whether in trade unions or elsewhere). That is why Agnes was special.

Agnes’ commitment to human rights and social justice was evident in so many aspects of her life. Most recently her dedication to end the genocide in Gaza and support justice for the Palestinian people. Only this last weekend, Agnes stood on the streets in Nottingham city centre to protest against Far Right and Fascist violence. All of this was consummate Agnes.

But for members of UoN UCU, and in particular those who worked closely with her, we have lost a colleague, a comrade and a companion.  It is an enormous loss – and feels so unjust. Agnes was, quite simply, special. We all knew it – but we have been robbed of the chance to tell her.

Unfathomably, the bright light that was Agnes Flues has been extinguished. At a time when Agnes’ sharp intellect, generosity of spirit and uncompromising sense of social justice are needed more than ever, we must continue the struggles she embraced without her.  At this moment, when grief feels raw, that feels like a more difficult task, but is a task we cannot evade. It is a task made easier by the example and inspiration that is Agnes’ legacy for all of us.

The best way to remember Agnes Flues is to continue to be inspired by her. Let us honour her by renewing our commitment to these struggles.

Response to far-right riots

Dear Members,

In addition to all the horrible events happening in the world, from brutal suppression of student protests in Bangladesh and continued genocide in Gaza, we have now been witnessing ongoing far-right riots, shocking scenes of racist, anti-migrant and Islamophobic rallies in the UK, including Nottingham. There is further notice of such events being planned here for this week. These events affect us all. It impacts directly members, the wider university community and especially staff and students from Muslim, migrant and racialised backgrounds who have to travel to work by public transport. Those with children are concerned about the risks and exposure of their loved ones to racial abuse.

We have written to the university about our concerns. We have asked them to communicate their support for staff and students, including access to wellbeing services, adjustments to working patterns and authorisation of approval of work from home requests (given these are health and safety issues) until the situation has calmed down. We will keep you informed about their response. We can send you the links to various university support resources if they don’t. In the meantime, do reach out to your colleagues, write to your teams and overseas PGR expressing your concern and support.

As you know, the branch has participated in the Unity Rally co-sponsored by the local TUC in which we stood firm against racism and fascism this Saturday. This was very well attended with inspiring talks and amazing posters! Here is a link to pics . We will let you know about further rallies if and when they are organised. It is important for us as a trade union to show our support for and solidarity with migrant and minority workers. We must not abandon public spaces to the far right.

Please feel free to contact us, or your reps on any of the issues above and how we can help. We will be writing to you mid-September (HR promises to provide the data to us then) with our overview on MARS, final numbers, hopefully broken down according to Faculties/Schools, how much UoN has managed to reduce debt by, and how we challenge any increase in workloads.

In solidarity.

Lopa, UoN UCU President (on behalf of the Branch Committee)