Plewa is most well-known for authoring Wisconsin's 1988 family and medical leave law.
Following his graduation, he worked as a teacher at the Milwaukee Area Technical College and was a member of the United Steelworkers union.
[2] In 1970, he was a candidate in a four-way primary which unseated incumbent state senator Leland McParland, losing to Kurt Frank.
[3][4] He was a member of the Cudahy Jaycees, and the United Steelworkers Union.
[5] The Lake Parkway of Wisconsin Highway 794 was named in memory of Senator Plewa.