David Jones on labor unions
From NYCETC 2018 Conference: A Conversation with David Jones · · NYC Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)
“We have started to emphasize and work with unions that are trying to organize workers because an individual can't stand against problems like low wages and unfair termination.”
On , David Jones, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary at INNOSPEC INC, spoke about labor unions during NYCETC 2018 Conference: A Conversation with David Jones on NYC Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC).
About David Jones
At the NYCETC 2018 Conference, David Jones discussed workforce development and education equity. He stated that "the chief way for people out of poverty has become work, but it can't be just any work; it has to be well paid work with benefits and other supports." Jones noted that the Community Service Society (CSS) has shifted its focus to this approach and has emphasized working with unions. He also commented on New York City's segregated school system, saying that "New York City is the most diverse but also the most segregated school district in the country." Jones criticized the test prep industry for specialized high school admissions, describing it as "a huge system" requiring "extraordinary expenditures" that shuts out students without financial means. Jones also discussed legal and policy actions taken by CSS, including a lawsuit on "unfair fare evasion arrests" to obtain data on potential racial bias. He expressed support for the de Blasio administration's progressive initiatives but said "the promise of a hundred thousand good-paying jobs is still a dream." Jones advocated for solutions such as granting automatic admission to the top tier of every high school, citing the University of Texas as an example. He also called for universal summer youth employment programs, stating they are "crucial" for opening opportunities for young people in isolated neighborhoods.