East Midlands Railway (EMR) has suspended a planned 24-hour strike initially set to start at 12:00 BST on Wednesday, September 11, 2026, following progress in talks with the RMT union over safety concerns with the new Aurora (Class 810) trains. The dispute began in April 2026, shortly after the Aurora fleet entered service in December 2025, when the union raised issues with multiple faults on the trains.
Strike Suspension and Ongoing Actions
The RMT union confirmed the strike suspension citing “substantial movement from management” in negotiations. Despite the pause in strike action, the union maintains a plan for action “short of strike” on September 20,
2026, which would be triggered if unsolicited brake applications continue to occur on the Class 810 trains.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey commended union members for their commitment to ensuring the trains operate under safe conditions but criticized EMR for refusing some of the union’s demands regarding safety faults. EMR’s Customer Experience Director Philippa Cresswell welcomed the suspension and the chance to continue discussions to resolve the dispute constructively.
Safety Issues and Collaborative Efforts
The union reported safety defects including unsolicited brake applications, auxiliary On/Off failures, and the loss of critical communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside. By August 2026, 16 Aurora trains had
required a full auxiliary reset, resulting in disabled safety communication systems.
EMR stated that no safety-critical faults currently prevent the Aurora trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger service. The operator, working closely with Hitachi Rail, which handles maintenance and modifications for the fleet, has implemented an agreed auxiliary reset procedure and enhanced staff briefings to address the union’s concerns.
A Hitachi Rail spokesperson confirmed increased maintenance and testing efforts as part of an action plan agreed with EMR. Both companies report measurable improvements in train reliability and safety.
Impact on Passengers and Network
The suspension of the strike action averted disruptions scheduled for September
11, 2026, on the East Midlands Railway network. However, travelers should be aware that limited industrial actions may still occur if safety faults persist beyond the planned date of September 20.
Official Statements
An EMR spokesperson said, “We remain committed to working constructively with the RMT and Hitachi to address the issues raised and bring this dispute to a resolution as soon as possible, minimising disruption for our customers.”
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey expressed disappointment over EMR’s refusal to meet certain union demands but emphasized members’ resolve to maintain safety standards. Philippa Cresswell added, “We welcome the suspension of the planned
strike action and the opportunity this provides to continue our discussions with the RMT to fully resolve the dispute in a constructive way.”
