The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced multiple strike actions against East Midlands Railway (EMR) over ongoing safety concerns with the Aurora Class 810 train fleet, which was introduced in December 2025. The dispute began in April 2026 and centers on numerous faults affecting the new trains.
RMT members will strike for 48 hours starting at 00:01 BST on 30 August, running through the August bank holiday weekend until 23:59 on 31 August 2026. A further 24-hour strike is planned from 00:01 BST on 16 September until 11:59 BST on 17 September 2026. These follow three strike days
on Saturdays earlier in August.
Reported Train Faults and Union Demands
The union cites multiple issues with the Aurora Class 810 trains, including non-functional toilets, broken air conditioning, door faults, communication breakdowns between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside staff, and incidents of trains being stranded on the track. RMT reported that 16 trains required full auxiliary resets that disabled active safety systems.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey stated, “RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service.” He added, “It is now time for EMR management to act on the
safety concerns of our members.” RMT members continue working to rule by refusing to operate Class 810 trains amid the dispute.
East Midlands Railway’s Position and Industry Response
East Midlands Railway maintains that no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements for passenger service. EMR said it has held six constructive meetings with union representatives to address the concerns.
EMR is collaborating with train manufacturer Hitachi Rail, which has increased its capacity for modifications and testing to resolve the faults. Philippa Cresswell, EMR customer experience director, acknowledged the disruption caused by the strikes, particularly during the August bank holiday period, and
said service plans are being reviewed for strike days.
Impact on Passengers and Services
The strike action is expected to affect EMR intercity services between 30-31 August and 16-17 September 2026, with certain services reduced or modified on those dates. EMR clarified that regional train services will continue operating unaffected by the strikes.
In July 2026, EMR reduced services citing reliability issues linked to the Aurora Class 810 fleet. The company has since announced plans to restore some canceled intercity services from the end of August.
Cresswell said, “We understand how important it is for our customers to have certainty about their travel plans and
recognise the uncertainty and disruption this strike action will cause, particularly over the August bank holiday.” EMR teams are assessing which trains will operate during the strike periods.
