1199ers in the New York metropolitan region are preparing to take part in a November 17 Day of Action for good jobs and a fair, democratic economy. The event organizers, a broad coalition of unions, progressive groups and the Occupy Wall Street movement, have called for a “day of peaceful direct action to reject the economy that divides us.”

The National Day of Action is the latest in a series of joint actions by the Occupy movement and labor and people’s organizations. And the mass media have taken note of the growing coalition.

The New York Times labor reporter, Steven Greenhouse, wrote in the November 8 edition: “Union leaders, who were initially cautious in embracing the Occupy movement, have in recent weeks showered the protesters with help — tents, air mattresses, propane heaters and tons of food. The protesters, for their part, have joined in union marches and picket lines across the nation.”

On November 2, thousands of Occupy Oakland protesters in California united with longshore workers and other unionists to march through downtown, picket banks and by the evening shut down the Oakland ports.

The Occupied movement also has been credited with playing a major role in shifting the debate that helped paved the way for election-day victories across the country. Chief among these were the repeal of the anti-collective bargaining legislation in Ohio, the defeat of the anti-abortion amendment in Mississippi and the defeat of Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce, the author of the state’s infamous anti-immigrant bill.

Leaders of the environmental movement also say that the Occupy movement gave strength and confidence to the campaign against the Keystone XL oil pipeline. That campaign won a major victory when on November 10 the Obama administration announced that it would further study the implications of the pipeline , affectively killing the project until at least 2013.

Occupy Wall Street also has taken its campaign for the 99 percent to Washington D.C. On November 9, activists began a 240-mile march to Washington dubbed “Occupy the Highway.” The march is scheduled to arrive in the nation’s capital on November 23 in time for the Congressional “super-committee” deadline to announce a deficit-reduction plan.

November 17 actions also are scheduled in at least 12 other cities, including 1199SEIU regions Boston, Baltimore and Miami. The New York rally and march will start at 5 pm in downtown Manhattan’s Foley Square.

“I’ll be at the Nov. 17 rally” says 1199SEIU delegate Nina Howe, a Beth Israel Hospital RN. “It’s way past time to build a movement for social and economic justice. “There is plenty of money in this country, but the 99 percent don’t have it. It’s time for that to change – and to fund jobs, health care, housing and education.”