Port workers in British Columbia have voted down a deal negotiated by their union leaders.
It is the second time they have rejected a deal.
Despite the lack of a deal, bulk shipments of grain and coal have continued to move to export markets.
The employers have a large number of casual workers who were not eligible to vote.
The union leaders say they want to negotiate directly with the 49 employer companies and not with the association that has been negotiating on their behalf.
The deal they rejected called for a 19 per cent wage increase over four years and would have brought the median annual income to more than $163,000.
One of the key union demands is restrictions on hiring out work.
