The University and College Union (UCU) community is mourning the sudden loss of Agnes Flues, a dedicated trade unionist and tireless advocate for workers’ rights in higher education. Flues, who passed away at the age of 42, leaves behind a legacy of courageous leadership and principled activism that inspired colleagues and transformed her union branch.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1982, Flues moved to Italy at a young age with her mother Annaliese. She pursued an education focused on international relations, human rights, and political institutions, earning degrees from the Università degli Studi di Padova. It was during her European master’s program that Flues first came to the UK, arriving at the University of Nottingham in 2008.
Leading the Fight for Pensions
Flues quickly became involved in the UCU, energized by the transformative experience of participating in the 2018 pension strikes. She took on leadership roles in her department and the wider Nottingham branch, earning the respect and support of fellow union members. In 2020, Flues was elected branch president, a position she held until the summer of 2023.
As president, Flues fearlessly led local strike actions that successfully challenged harmful changes to the university’s pension scheme. She served as the public face of the branch, rallying support from students and the broader community. A close colleague recalled:
Agnes had an incredible ability to inspire and mobilize people. Her passion for justice was contagious. She could articulate the issues with clarity and conviction, making it impossible not to stand with her.
Developing an Alternative Vision
Beyond leading strikes, Flues played a key role in developing her union branch’s alternative financial strategy. She provided an incisive critique of how national and local policies were eroding the concept of the public university. Flues tirelessly represented union members in countless meetings with management, especially during the challenging days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her work extended beyond Nottingham, with Flues serving as the UCU’s East Midlands regional secretary and vice-chair of the Nottinghamshire Trades Council. In the summer of 2023, she was elected to the union’s national executive committee, a testament to her leadership and the high regard in which she was held by fellow activists across the country.
A Life Devoted to Human Rights
Flues’ commitment to justice extended well beyond the labor movement. For over a decade, she served as the coordinator of Nottingham’s Human Rights Law Centre, managing research and events focused on protecting human rights globally. A former colleague at the centre remembered Flues as an uncompromising defender of human dignity:
For Agnes, human rights were never an abstract concept. She understood the real-world implications of injustice and oppression. Every project she led, every event she organized, was imbued with a sense of urgency and moral clarity.
A Devastating Loss
News of Flues’ untimely death sent shockwaves through the union and the wider Nottingham community. UCU General Secretary Jo Grady captured the sentiment of many:
Agnes was a force of nature, a fearless campaigner, and a true friend. Her loss is devastating, but her impact will endure. She showed us what it means to stand up for what’s right, no matter the odds. We will honor her memory by continuing the fight.
Flues is survived by her partner Manuel Peña, whom she met in Nottingham in 2009, and her parents Annaliese and Stefan. While her time was cut tragically short, Agnes Flues leaves behind a powerful legacy—one that will undoubtedly inspire future generations of trade unionists and human rights defenders. Her courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice will never be forgotten.
