As a member of Voice, a union that believes in negotiation not strikes, it came as no surprise to me that there are “school staff disenfranchised by union politics and industrial action” (“The unions have got competition”, 14 September). Against a general decline in union membership but increasing industrial unrest, my union’s membership continues to grow.

Voice negotiates with politicians but is independent from them and the Trades Union Congress. And it doesn’t have a political fund, with all subscriptions used to provide members with individual support, advice and representation. I’m looking forward to becoming general secretary of that union next month.

Deborah Lawson, General secretary elect, Voice.