The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has declared further strike action against East Midlands Railway (EMR) due to ongoing safety issues with the Aurora Class 810 trains. The dispute began in April 2026 following the introduction of the fleet in December 2025.
Upcoming Strike Dates Scheduled
The RMT union has scheduled a 48-hour strike starting from 00:01 BST on 30 August 2026 until 23:59 BST on 31 August 2026. Additionally, a 24-hour strike will run from 00:01 BST on 16 September 2026 to 11:59 BST on 17 September 2026. These actions follow three previous strikes held on Saturdays throughout August 2026.
Union Reports Multiple Safety-Related Faults
Union members
have refused to work on the Class 810 trains as part of ongoing action short of strike. The RMT reported that at least 16 trains required a full auxiliary reset, causing the loss of active safety systems and disrupting communication links between drivers, dispatchers, and trackside control. Reported faults also include malfunctioning toilets, broken air conditioning units, door problems, and instances of trains stalled on tracks.
Responses from East Midlands Railway and Hitachi Rail
EMR stated it has not identified any safety-critical faults preventing the Class 810 fleet from meeting regulatory standards for passenger service. Six meetings have taken place between EMR and union representatives to discuss the
issues. EMR’s customer experience director Philippa Cresswell acknowledged the disruption caused by the strikes, especially over the August bank holiday weekend, noting the company’s efforts to develop service plans for the strike dates. Hitachi Rail, the train manufacturer, has increased capacity for modifications and testing to resolve the reported problems.
Impact on Passengers and Services
EMR confirmed that regional services will not be affected by the industrial action. The railway firm reduced some services in July 2026 due to reliability problems with the Class 810 trains. From the end of August 2026, EMR intends to reinstate some cancelled Intercity services. The strikes could cause disruption
and uncertainty for passengers, particularly during the bank holiday weekend of 30-31 August.
Union general secretary Eddie Dempsey stated: “RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service.” He added, “It is now time for EMR management to act on the safety concerns of our members.”
