Members of the RMT union at East Midlands Railway (EMR) suspended a planned 24-hour strike scheduled to begin at 12:00 BST on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. The strike was called due to safety concerns involving the Aurora (Class 810) train fleet introduced by EMR in December 2025.
Aurora (Class 810) Train Faults Prompt Union Action
The dispute between the RMT union and EMR began in April 2026 amid reports by union members of multiple faults affecting the new Class 810 trains. Complaints include unsolicited brake applications, failure of Aux On/Off systems, loss of communication between drivers, dispatchers and trackside staff, broken air conditioning, and door malfunctions. The union
also stated that 16 trains placed into service required a full auxiliary reset, impairing safety-related functions.
EMR and Hitachi Rail responded by increasing maintenance activities, modifications, and testing capacity. The two companies have agreed to an auxiliary reset process with the union to address the Aux On/Off failures, while emphasizing the ongoing commitment to safety and improving reliability and passenger comfort.
Ongoing Dispute and Planned Industrial Action
The RMT union had planned the strike to press for resolution of these safety and reliability issues. Although the 24-hour strike was suspended due to “substantial movement from management” in negotiations, the union confirmed that an action short of
strike remains scheduled for 20 September 2026. This action will proceed if unsolicited brake applications continue. The ongoing dispute traces back to the rollout of Class 810 trains starting in December 2025.
Statements from Union and Railway Officials
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey praised members for their vigilance, stating they maintain “their continued determination to make sure the Class 810 fleet is only used in safe conditions.” However, he criticized EMR for not accepting union demands related to unsolicited brake activations and Aux system failures, adding, “We all want to ensure a safe railway and RMT members at EMR will remain vigilant in the fight for
safety.”
EMR spokespersons stated no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger service. Customer Experience Director Philippa Cresswell welcomed the strike suspension, describing it as an opportunity to continue constructive discussions with the RMT to resolve the dispute. She said, “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.”
EMR emphasized progress made jointly with Hitachi Rail, which has focused on maintenance increases, testing, and modifications to improve train reliability and
passenger comfort while upholding safety standards. An EMR spokesperson noted, “Working closely with Hitachi, we have made significant and measurable progress in addressing the concerns raised by the RMT and improving the reliability and comfort of our trains, while maintaining our absolute commitment to safety.” Hitachi Rail has increased maintenance and testing as part of the joint action plan.
Service Continuity Maintained as Strike Suspended
The suspension of the 24-hour strike prevents disruption of East Midlands Railway services on 16 September 2026. However, travelers should be aware that further union action planned for 20 September 2026 could still affect train operations if safety issues persist. EMR
and Hitachi continue collaborative efforts to resolve the dispute and minimize impact on passengers.
