As a City of Los Angeles recreation assistant, Learn to Swim coordinator for the LA84 Foundation, and AFSCME Local 741 leader, Patricia Robinson has made a lasting impression on the lives of the people in her community and at work.
Her dedication to public service began as an educator with Los Angeles Unified School District and has continued with her employment for the City of Los Angeles. She began working for the City of Los Angeles unofficially in 1974 for the summer youth program. It was a job that only happened in the summer, and she was required to reapply each year. Then in 1996, she became a permanent employee in the aquatics department.
As an employee in the aquatics department, Robinson works with Los Angeles area schools to coordinate swim lessons for students through LA84 Foundation’s Learn to Swim program. This program is very near and dear to her heart because swim lessons can help save lives. “These kids need to know how to swim. Black and Hispanic kids drown at a high rate and this program helps to prevent that,” said Robinson.
Robinson has been a part of the Learn to Swim program since its inception. She has seen many kids in her community go through the program and enjoys seeing those kids return to the swimming pool as adults with their own kids. “My favorite part of my job is seeing the process of students coming into the program learning how to swim and becoming lifeguards, aquatic managers, and other positions within the city like EMTs and firefighters,” said Robinson. “I love it when they see me and say, ‘you’re still here!’ I’m happy they remember me all these years later.”
Robinson has also made a lasting impression as a volunteer member organizer (VMO) and steward for AFSCME Local 741. She was a part of the organizing committee that formed AFSCME Local 741 and has continued to be an organizer throughout the years. She travels to as many parks as she can and has one-on-one conversations with potential members explaining the advantages of becoming a union member. “We go to the different components of the recreation centers and speak about how the union is beneficial to their job, without pressure. I will leave information with them to read and analyze. Within a day or two I will call and follow up,” said Robinson. She is one of the top VMOs at AFSCME District Council 36. Just within the past few weeks Robinson has signed up dozens of new members, which is imperative to building the union’s power as they prepare for negotiations.
Even though Robinson has been a local union leader for decades, she has no plans to stop. “Being a union member is important to me because of the benefits we have won and the protection it offers,” said Robinson. “So, I am going to continue to do what I can for the union.”
