Wisconsin State Sen. Patrick Testin (R) joined the team at the UniFirst plant in Wisconsin Rapids to learn more about the linen, uniform and facility services industry. Testin’s day at the laundry is part of a program the senator developed where he takes one day a month and spends it at the plant of a local industry. Some of his jobs have been working in a cranberry bog, rolling paper at a paper mill and now working in a laundry.
The visit started with a briefing from the UniFirst team describing the history of the company as well as the economic and community impact the plant provides to the area. After a quick tour of the facility, Testin went to work. During his time, the senator loaded washers and dryers, hung uniforms, rolled mats and separated towels. “I have seen this facility and am aware of UniFirst but was not completely sure of how the industry operates; this was a wonderful learning experience,” Testin said.
The visit was arranged by UniFirst staff to raise the industry’s profile on a legislative initiative for the industry to be recognized in the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Agricultural Tax Credit (MATC). After his day in the plant and recognizing the manufacturing nature of the industry, Sen. Testin agreed to join in co-sponsorship of legislation placing the industry into the MATC.
Wisconsin members are a strong example of the impact and importance of participatory advocacy at the local level by hosting several plant tours throughout the state as well as attending meetings in Madison with state legislators at the state capitol.
This effort is a partnership between the Wisconsin Association of Textile Services (WATS) and TRSA. This partnership is an example of the strength of cooperation within the industry. For more details, contact TRSA’s Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb at kschwalb@trsa.org.
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