RMT union members at East Midlands Railway (EMR) suspended a planned 24-hour strike set to start at 12:00 BST on Wednesday. The industrial action followed months of dispute concerning safety faults in the new Aurora Class 810 trains deployed by EMR in December 2025.
Safety Concerns Prompt Union Action
The RMT union has raised multiple safety issues with the Class 810 Aurora fleet since April 2026, citing faults including unsolicited brake applications and auxiliary system (Aux) On/Off failures. In August 2026, the union reported that 16 trains experienced auxiliary safety system faults, impacting communication between drivers and dispatchers and raising operational safety concerns.
East Midlands
Railway issued a statement affirming that “no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger service.” The operator acknowledged ongoing maintenance efforts but maintained that the trains comply with safety standards.
Negotiations Lead to Strike Suspension with Future Action Pending
The strike suspension followed substantial progress in talks between EMR management and the RMT union. EMR and Hitachi Rail have worked together to address the reported faults, agreeing on an auxiliary reset process with union representatives. Despite this, the union’s demand for resolving unsolicited brake and Aux On/Off faults fully was not accepted.
The RMT stated that its planned “action short of
strike” scheduled for 20 September 2026 will proceed if unsolicited brake applications persist, which could cause trains to stop unexpectedly and disrupt services.
Official Responses to the Dispute and Strike Suspension
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey praised union members for “their continued determination to make sure the Class 810 fleet is only used in safe conditions,” while expressing disappointment that EMR declined the union’s straightforward demands relating to brake and auxiliary faults.
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at EMR, welcomed the strike suspension, stating it provides “the opportunity to continue our discussions with the RMT to fully resolve the dispute in a constructive way.” EMR also emphasized ongoing
collaboration with Hitachi Rail to improve train reliability and maintain safety.
New Fleet Introduction and Related Issues
The Aurora Class 810 fleet was introduced by East Midlands Railway in December 2025 as part of efforts to modernize services across the East Midlands region. Since entering service, the new trains have suffered several operational faults including broken air conditioning, door malfunctions, communication breakdowns between drivers and dispatchers, and instances of trains stranded on tracks.
Hitachi Rail has increased maintenance activities and expanded capacity for modifications and testing in coordination with EMR as part of the response to union concerns. Both parties remain engaged in efforts to resolve
outstanding issues and restore full confidence in the Class 810 fleet.
