Strike action planned by RMT union members at East Midlands Railway (EMR) was suspended before it started on Wednesday, 11 September 2026. The 24-hour strike, originally set to begin at 12:00 BST, was in response to safety concerns surrounding EMR’s new Aurora (Class 810) trains introduced in December 2025.
Safety Concerns and Strike Plans
The strike stemmed from a dispute that began in April 2026 after the rollout of the Class 810 fleet. The RMT union reported significant technical faults including unsolicited brake applications and failures of the auxiliary power On/Off system. They claimed that at least 16 trains had needed a full auxiliary reset,
resulting in the loss of critical safety systems and communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside personnel.
Despite the union’s safety claims, East Midlands Railway stated that no safety-critical faults have been identified that block the trains from meeting regulatory standards for passenger service. The union planned further industrial action short of strike on 20 September 2026, contingent on continued occurrences of unsolicited brake applications.
Agreements and Official Statements
The suspension of the Wednesday strike followed “substantial movement from management,” according to RMT representatives. EMR and the RMT agreed on an auxiliary reset process, which will be supported through employee briefings led by train
managers and customer host mentors.
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” but expressed disappointment that EMR had not accepted union demands related to unsolicited brake applications and Aux On/Off failures.
EMR customer experience director Philippa Cresswell welcomed the strike suspension and called it an opportunity to continue constructive talks aimed at fully resolving the dispute. An EMR spokesperson confirmed measurable progress with Hitachi Rail in addressing the concerns while maintaining safety commitments.
Technical Issues and Progress
The Class 810 trains launched in December 2025 have
shown faults including communication failures, broken air conditioning, door problems, and toilets reportedly not working. EMR is collaborating with Hitachi Rail, which has ramped up maintenance activities and expanded capacity for train modifications and testing as part of an agreed plan.
EMR emphasized its commitment to improving train reliability and passenger comfort alongside safety, with the ongoing discussions aimed at minimizing disruption and resolving the technical faults identified by the RMT.
Impact on Passengers and Services
The suspension of the planned strike prevented immediate disruption to passenger and freight services across East Midlands Railway routes in the East Midlands region. However, vigilance continues as the
union has maintained plans for action short of strike on 20 September if unsolicited brake incidents persist.
The agreed auxiliary reset procedures and continued technical improvements seek to uphold safe train operations while avoiding further industrial action.
