The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has scheduled three separate 24-hour strike days on East Midlands Railway (EMR) services during weekends in August 2026. The walkouts are set for August 8, 15, and 22, with action short of strike also occurring on August 2-7, 9-14, and from August 16 onward.
East Midlands Railway Routes and Disrupted Timetables
East Midlands Railway operates across central and eastern England, serving cities including London, Liverpool, Manchester, Derby, Nottingham, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. On the strike dates, EMR will operate a significantly reduced timetable on both its Intercity and Connect routes. The key disruption period spans from 7am to
7pm on strike days. EMR has advised passengers to travel only if necessary and to verify train times before travelling.
Safety Concerns Over Class 810 Aurora Fleet Spark Industrial Action
The strike action is driven by RMT members’ demands for the withdrawal of the Class 810 Aurora trains from service. The union claims these trains have dangerous faults, including intermittent failures requiring full resets that disable safety systems and cause loss of communication between drivers, dispatchers, and trackside personnel. Previous discussions between RMT and EMR failed to resolve the dispute, leading to the current strike schedule.
Official Statements and Union Positions
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey criticized EMR for continuing to operate trains prone to
safety failures and confirmed strikes will continue while the Class 810 units remain in service. The Department for Transport has called on RMT and CrossCountry to renew negotiations to end the dispute. EMR customer experience director Philippa Cresswell expressed regret for customer disruption and affirmed ongoing engagement with the union. EMR insists the Class 810 fleet met all required testing and rigorous standards before entering passenger service.
Passenger Rights and Compensation Provisions
Passengers affected by cancellations, delays, or rescheduling due to the strikes on EMR services are eligible for refunds or may use their existing tickets on alternative routes or train operators. UK law specifies
that employees participating in industrial action are not entitled to pay from their employers, but the RMT maintains a National Dispute Fund funded by membership and donations to provide strike pay to members.
Context of UK Rail Strikes in 2026
So far in 2026, UK rail strikes have been limited and localized, mostly affecting London services. East Midlands Railway is currently the only operator subject to strike action planned for August 2026. There are no announced plans for broader nationwide rail strikes affecting other operators at this time.
