The Professional Association of Teachers or PAT is an independent trade union, founded in 1970, that represents around 35,000 members that are employed in the British education system. It differs from other British teaching unions in its commitment to "always putting the interests of children and students first" which means that it never goes on strike or takes any other form of industrial action, preferring to resolve problems through negotiation. It was formed primarily in reponse to the perceived militancy of the "traditional" teachers' unions such as the NUT and its no-strike commitment means that it remains firmly unafilliated to the Trades Union Congress.
The Union also has two independent sections;