The ESSN Jobs with Justice network is a coalition-building hub: a place where unions, community groups, faith organizations, student groups, mutual-aid projects, and individual activist and organizers can connect, coordinate, and back one another. We exist to build long-term power for working people by sharing resources, amplifying trustworthy actions, training new organizers, and standing publicly with campaigns that reflect our values of Solidarity, Diversity, and Respect.
For you organization or group to be a voting member of the Network you have to sign the pledge
We hereby pledge our commitment to the ESSN Jobs with Justice Network and its mission to build and sustain a powerful, inclusive network dedicated to promoting workers’ rights and social justice in Lane County.
We agree to uphold the core values of
Solidarity
We commit to standing with others in the struggle for justice.
Diversity
We value the strength of a broad coalition representing different communities and viewpoints.
Respect
We engage with one another in good faith, treating all participants with dignity.
As a member organization, we commit to:
Appointing a representative to the ESSN Steering Committee. Participating actively and in good faith in Network activities and decision-making. Ensuring our representative (or a designated proxy) attends the monthly Steering Committee meetings. Acting responsibly when participating in the distribution or oversight of any funds provided by the ESSN Board to the Steering Committee.
Joining ESSN isn’t just about getting your flyer into a chat or having an email blast sent. It’s about becoming part of a trusted organizing ecosystem where organizations give and receive help, where reputations are earned and protected, and where we accept public responsibility for one another. That mutual accountability is what makes a network useful, powerful and effective while keeping people safe.
Why Organizations Should Join ESSN
- Reputation, Relationships, and Reach: The primary reason organizations join ESSN is because of our reputation and deep connections to the labor movement, the broader organizing community, and the activist networks of Lane County and beyond. ESSN is the bridge between our union locals and the community.
Because we are not driven by any single political party or ideological agenda, and because we have a vetted, trusted 35+ year history of grassroots organizing, we have earned credibility across divides. ESSN creates a space for true long-term strategic collaboration outside of silos and across ideological lines. We bring the working class together to fight exploitation, corruption, and the domination of the 1%. - Credibility:
When ESSN sends an alert for an event, recipients understand we’ve vetted and trust the organizers. That amplifies turnout and builds legitimacy. - Mutual Support:
Member organizations trade labor, space, training, media help, and legal support. You don’t have to do everything alone. - Training and Capacity:
We run trainings on coalition work, de-escalation, digital security basics, and event safety so smaller groups can organize smarter. - Shared Risk, Shared Rewards:
We help coordinate press, permits, legal observers, and safety teams so actions are better prepared and less likely to catastrophically harm participants’ safety or reputations. - Network Infrastructure:
Access to listservs, shared calendars, template forms, meeting spaces, and a hub that helps recruit volunteers and allies.
The Problem We Keep Seeing: One-Way Use of the Network
A recurring issue that weakens trust in our community are groups that want to tap into the network’s reach without building relationships, being transparent, or reciprocating support. Too often we receive flyers or event posts with no identifying information or responsible contact. Someone in the network posts the flyer, but the actual organizers remain hidden. That puts everyone who shows up at risk legally, physically, and reputationally and it’s not acceptable.
This isn’t about policing security for security’s sake. We understand that people sometimes need to guard identities. But there’s a difference between reasonable operational security and asking others to take risks for you without any ability to vouch for your event. Asking the network to broadcast trust while refusing to demonstrate trustworthiness is a double standard. It’s transactional in the worst sense: taking advantage of the network’s reach while refusing to invest in the network’s safety or longevity.
Safety, Transparency, and Solidarity: The Standards We Expect
If you want ESSN to share your event, here’s what we expect at minimum:
- A named contact person (even if kept private to ESSN) who will be reachable before and during the action.
- An accurate event description: is it family-friendly? Non-violent? Could arrests be likely? Is there potential for confrontation?
- A safety and security plan: how will organizers protect participants, especially children, elders, and vulnerable people? Are legal observers planned? Is medical support available?
- Evidence of relationship-building: prior collaboration, attendance at network meetings, participation in trainings, or other signs you’ve engaged with the network in good faith.
- Willingness to accept some shared responsibility: if ESSN puts its name to an event, we need to be able to back organizers and, if necessary, coordinate legal/media support.
Organizations or groups who wish to remain anonymous yet still use the network must establish a trusted relationship with the ESSN Board. The Board members are the ones publicly putting their names, reputations, and in some cases legal liability on the line when the network promotes an event. We will always respect organizers’ security concerns, but at a minimum, the Board must know that you or your group are legitimate and trustworthy.
If your group has ties to an existing ESSN Jobs with Justice voting member organization that is willing to take legal, reputational, and financial responsibility for your event, that organization simply needs to notify the Steering Committee and Board. When the alert goes out, we will make it clear that the sponsoring organization has vetted and endorsed the event. This protects everyone involved while maintaining transparency and accountability within the broader movement.
If you can’t meet those standards, please don’t expect the network to vouch for you simply because you want reach.
Our Simple Flag System
To protect people and preserve trust, ESSN will begin tagging events in our communications as Green Flag, Red Flag, or Black Flag. These are transparency tools, not moral judgements — they help people make informed choices.
Green Flag — Endorsed & Vetted
Events from trusted ESSN network members or organizers with whom we have an established relationship. Accurate descriptions, clear safety plans, no advertised intent to use violence or property damage. ESSN publicly endorses and will provide support.
Red Flag — Unknown / Not Vetted
Events from unknown actors or organizers who intentionally hide identities or refuse to engage with the network. May be sincere and safe or may be fronts, provocations, or poorly planned actions that could endanger participants. ESSN will not endorse. We will label as Red Flag and may circulate with a clear disclaimer that we cannot vouch for safety or intent.
Black Flag — High Risk / Likely Dangerous
- Events that are expected to involve direct confrontation and could produce arrests, violence, or serious legal exposure.
- Events where organizers explicitly plan to instigate conflict without full disclosure to attendees.
SSN recognizes that these types of events and actions may be necessary but ESSN does not organize or endorse these events. If we send an Alert out it will be with the intent to ensure that members and ally organizations are informed of the reasons for and the dangers of attending such an event so they can make informed decisions
This system is about informed consent: when people see a red or black flag, they should know the risks they might face. When they see a green flag, they should be able to trust ESSN’s judgment.
Examples (Generic, Non-Identifying)
- Green Flag: A neighborhood labor coalition with a history of working with ESSN organizes a well-planned, family-friendly rally against wage cuts.
- Red Flag: A flyer for a “family-friendly” action circulated by unknown organizers who refuse to provide contacts.
- Black Flag: An invitation to a direct confrontation with law enforcement or extremist groups, likely to involve arrests or violence.
What Happens if You Try to Use the Network Without Reciprocating
Repeated attempts to use ESSN purely as an amplifier without building relationships or meeting safety expectations will result in refusal to share your events. Members who repeatedly pass along anonymous or deceptive events risk losing posting privileges in our channels. We’ll prioritize protecting people over boosting traffic.
Final Note — Solidarity Is Reciprocal
Solidarity isn’t a one-way street. The network’s value depends on mutual trust: you protect us, we protect you; you show up for others’ campaigns, others will show up for yours; you invest in relationship-building, and we’ll invest our credibility in promoting your work. ESSN’s leaders and public faces are willing to accept scrutiny and risk for the movement — but only for campaigns and partners who show they’ll acti in good faith and be responsible and trusted allies.
Organizations that wish to maintain anonymity or heightened security can still participate as Non-Voting Member Organizations (NVMOs). This allows groups to stay connected, collaborate on shared goals, and access parts of the network’s support structure while protecting the privacy of their members and operations.
If you want ESSN to amplify your work, start by showing up at a network meeting, attend a training, or reach out privately to establish a relationship. Hell, ask about nosh night and show up for a beer and food. If you want to learn more about our vetting checklist or how events are flagged, email us at essn@solidaritynetwork.org.
Join a network that values trust, transparency, and true solidarity and help build movements that keep people safe while pushing for bold change.
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