New London — Four local unions representing city employees joined with two statewide union leaders on Thursday to endorse incumbent Democratic Mayor Michael Passero.

Unions backing Passero’s second term in office include New London Police Union, AFSCME Local 724; the New London Fire Union, IAFF Local 1522; the New London Public Works Union, AFSCME Local 1378; and the New London Municipal Employees Union, AFSCME Local 1303-125.

Local police union President Todd Lynch said the coalition of unions backing a mayoral candidate was a first. Lynch credited a turnaround at the department — higher morale and better retention of officers — to Passero’s administration. Local firefighter union President Steve Joly credited Passero for work in obtaining grant funding for the department and for the formation of the Opioid Action Team of Southeastern Connecticut.

The endorsement was delivered at a news conference at Parade Plaza, where representatives from two statewide unions, AFSCME Council 4 and Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association, also endorsed Passero.

Passero is being challenged in the upcoming election by Republican City Council member Marty Olsen and Green Party write-in candidate Frida Berrigan.