Workers at a large number of ports on Canada's west coast have rejected the latest wage offer from a group of employers, after they previously carried out a 13-day strike that had significant economic consequences for the country.

The International Warehouse and Logistics Union in Canada, whose leaders supported the preliminary agreement, called on employers to "return to the negotiating table and negotiate what is in the best interest of our members and the sector," according to a brief statement issued late Friday.

The group of employers, the "British Columbia Marine Employers Association," expressed its disappointment at the rejection of the offer proposed by a federal mediator.

It described the offer in a statement as "a good deal that recognizes the skills and efforts of the waterfront workforce in British Columbia, while ensuring stability for the future of the west coast ports of Canada."

The initial offer includes a wage increase of 19.2% over the four-year agreement period.

The employers' statement added that the rejection by the International Warehouse and Logistics Union in Canada "once again leaves businesses and Canadians, as well as all those relying on a stable supply chain working well, in a state of uncertainty."

The statement said that while the union "did not report its next steps, it retains the ability to issue a notice for a 72-hour strike."

A 13-day strike in early July impacted significant economic sectors, particularly Canada's automotive industry.

The workers rejected the initial agreement in principle on July 18.

After announcing plans to call for another strike, they canceled their move after authorities stated that the law requires a notice to be given 72 hours in advance.

Negotiations resumed under the sponsorship of a federal mediator, leading to the preliminary agreement that workers rejected late Friday.

Labor contracts, port automation, and the cost of living are major reasons behind the collective action taken by the union.

Major Canadian exports, such as coal, wheat, canola, and other food items, as well as imports like clothing, petroleum products, cars, and parts, pass through the ports daily, providing important transit routes to Asia and the United States.

Through Vancouver Port alone, the largest port in the country, goods worth CAD 305 billion (USD 230 billion) pass annually, contributing CAD 11.9 billion to the country's annual GDP.