SAN FRANCISCO - PMA President and CEO Jim McKenna issued the following statement about the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s approval of the new five-year contact.  The contract, already approved by PMA member companies, is retroactive to July 1, 2014 and runs through June 30, 2019. “This contract provides an important framework for the hard work ahead to overcome new competitive challenges and to continue to position the West Coast ports as destinations of choice for shippers worldwide.  From San Diego to Bellingham, these ports have long been the primary gateways for cargo coming into and leaving the United States, and our interests are aligned in ensuring they can effectively, and efficiently, handle the capacity growth that drives economies and jobs.’’