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.