Rail strike action planned for 24 hours starting at 12:00 BST on September 11, 2026, by East Midlands Railway (EMR) workers has been suspended following progress in negotiations with management, according to BBC News. The stoppage related to safety concerns over the Aurora (Class 810) train fleet operated by EMR in the East Midlands region of the UK.
Train Safety Concerns Prompted Strike
The RMT union representing EMR rail workers initiated the dispute in April 2026 after reporting multiple faults with the Class 810 trains introduced into service in December 2025. Issues cited included unsolicited brake applications, faults requiring full auxiliary resets that disabled safety
systems, broken air conditioning, faulty toilets, communication breakdowns, door malfunctions, and instances where trains were stranded on the tracks.
Official Statements on Faults and Negotiations
East Midlands Railway maintains that “no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger service,” according to a company spokesperson. EMR and Hitachi Rail, which partners with EMR on fleet maintenance and upgrades, stated substantial progress has been made to enhance reliability and passenger comfort, with an agreed auxiliary reset process established with the RMT union. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey recognized members’ resolve to ensure the fleet operates safely but expressed disappointment that
EMR did not accept union demands regarding unsolicited brake incidents and auxiliary On/Off failures.
Philippa Cresswell, EMR’s customer experience director, 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.” Hitachi Rail has also increased maintenance and modification capacity under the agreed plan with EMR.
Impact on Rail Operations and Remaining Actions
The suspension of the strike on September 11, 2026, prevents immediate disruption to rail services across East Midlands. However, the RMT union has stated that an “action short of strike” remains scheduled for September
20, 2026. This limited industrial action would respond to any occurrence of unsolicited brake applications causing trains to stop unexpectedly.
Background on Aurora (Class 810) Train Introduction and Fault Issues
The Class 810 Aurora fleet entered service in December 2025 amid reported operational faults that prompted union concerns. By August 2026, 16 trains were noted to require full auxiliary resets, which temporarily disabled safety systems including communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside personnel. The union contested the fleet’s readiness and safety compliance since early 2026 due to ongoing technical issues affecting passenger service quality and crew confidence.
