In 1976 the NAS merged with the Union of Women Teachers (UWT) and the Scottish Schoolmasters Association (SSA). The merger was largely a consequence of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, which made it unlawful to exclude from membership on grounds of gender. It then became the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NAS/UWT). The 'slash' separating the two sections of the union was later dropped and the name usually appeared subtitled 'The Career Teachers Union' - a reference to the life long commitment of the 'career' classroom teacher.