East Midlands Railway’s planned 24-hour strike over safety concerns with its new Aurora Class 810 trains was suspended on 11 September 2026, following substantial progress in management negotiations with the RMT union. The initial strike was scheduled to start at 12:00 BST on 11 September but was called off, although limited industrial action remains planned for 20 September if unsolicited brake applications persist.
Union Safety Concerns and Background
The dispute between East Midlands Railway and the RMT union began in April 2026 after the Aurora (Class 810) trains were introduced into service in December 2025. The RMT raised multiple safety issues, including unsolicited brake activations,
auxiliary On/Off system failures, loss of communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside controllers, as well as broken air conditioning, faulty toilets, and trains stranded on the track. The union emphasized that trains had operated without fully active auxiliary safety systems, causing concern over regulatory compliance.
Official Statements from East Midlands Railway and RMT
East Midlands Railway stated they have identified no safety-critical faults preventing the Class 810 trains from meeting regulatory standards for passenger service. A company spokesperson reinforced the ongoing commitment to safety, saying, “no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger service.” The RMT expressed cautious optimism,
describing the strike suspension as resulting from “substantial movement from management” but maintained vigilance, especially regarding unsolicited brake applications. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey praised members for “their continued determination to make sure the Class 810 fleet is only used in safe conditions,” while criticizing EMR for not accepting union demands on brake and auxiliary system issues.
East Midlands Railway and Hitachi Rail Collaboration
East Midlands Railway and Hitachi Rail have cooperated to address the faults impacting the Aurora fleet’s reliability and comfort. Efforts have included increasing maintenance activities and expanding capacity for modifications and testing. An auxiliary reset process has been agreed upon with the RMT
union. Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, welcomed the strike suspension and the opportunity to continue constructive discussions with the union toward resolving the dispute.
Planned Industrial Action and Future Monitoring
Despite the strike being suspended, the RMT plans action short of strike on 20 September 2026, contingent on the recurrence of unsolicited brake applications that force trains to stop unexpectedly. The union remains determined to monitor the conditions under which the Class 810 fleet operates to ensure all trains meet safe operational standards.
