The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has been in dispute with East Midlands Railway (EMR) since April 2026 over safety concerns involving the new Aurora Class 810 trains introduced in December 2025. The union alleges the trains contain multiple faults undermining safety and reliability.
RMT Announces Multiple Strike Dates in Late August and September
The RMT has scheduled a 48-hour strike beginning at 00:01 BST on August 30, 2026, lasting until 23:59 BST on August 31. This follows three separate strike days on Saturdays earlier in August. A further 24-hour strike is set to start at 00:01 BST on September 16, continuing until 11:59 BST on September 17.
Union Cites Technical Faults Disabling Safety Systems on Class 810 Trains
The
union highlights a range of defects on the Aurora fleet, including faulty toilets, broken air conditioning, door malfunctions, and communication failures between drivers, dispatchers, and trackside control. Sixteen trains have required a full auxiliary reset, temporarily disabling onboard safety and communications systems. Some trains have been stranded on tracks as a result.
East Midlands Railway Denies Critical Safety Faults Amid Union Demands
EMR denies any safety-critical faults preventing the trains from meeting regulatory standards. EMR customer experience director Philippa Cresswell confirmed ongoing service planning to minimize disruption during strikes. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey demanded the trains be withdrawn from service until the safety issues are resolved, stating, “RMT is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.”
Operational Impact and Ongoing Efforts to Resolve Issues
EMR Regional services will continue unaffected by strike actions. The operator is reviewing which services can run, with some Intercity trains suspended earlier due to reliability issues scheduled for reinstatement from late August. EMR has engaged Hitachi Rail, the manufacturer, to increase capacity for modifications and testing aimed at resolving these issues. The company has held six meetings with union representatives to address safety concerns.
