Employees who worked aboard Marine Atlantic’s asbestos-laden Atlantic Freighter and have tested positive for asbestos will be able to file claims immediately, states a union representative for the Canadian Auto Workers Local 4285 in Sydney, which represents the marine workers.

According to a Nova Scotia (Canada) News article, an asbestos issue aboard the 30-year old freighter surfaced late last year, after which more than 1,000 current and former employees were informed by letter that they may have been exposed to the toxic mineral while on the job. The Atlantic Freighter offers a drop-trailer service between North Sydney, N.S. and Port aux Basques, N.L.

Sue Irvine, president of Local 4285, said union groups have held meetings with Marine Atlantic to get updates on medical evaluation clinics.

“At the beginning of July, they held two more clinics and this time they concentrated on retirees and people with long service,” Irvine said. “To my knowledge, there are a couple of people who have tested positive for asbestos but are not sick.”

Irvine said she believes the asbestos has not yet been removed from the freighter, but it has been completely encapsulated by a licensed asbestos contractor.

“Everyone has been taking asbestos awareness training in order to work on the freighter,” she said. “Everyone is now aware that there is asbestos on the freighter, encapsulated, so if they see anything suspicious, they know how to properly address it and what to do to handle it appropriately.”

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