New Hampshire's largest public employee labor union is backing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary, bucking its national affiliate's endorsement of Hillary Clinton.

The State Employees' Association/SEIU Local 1984 represents 11,500 workers across New Hampshire. President Richard Gulla says the chapter is backing Sanders because of his support for maintaining retirement benefits, lowering college costs, better wages for workers and his willingness to take on Wall Street.

The parent Service Employees International Union, which represents 2 million health care workers, recently endorsed Clinton — delivering a blow to Sanders.

The local chapter will spend most of its efforts communicating the endorsement to members and encouraging them to volunteer or help with Sanders' campaign here. It cannot form its own political action committee for federal spending.