The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced additional strike action against East Midlands Railway (EMR) over safety concerns related to the newly introduced Aurora (Class 810) train fleet. The union, which has been in dispute with EMR since April, claims the trains have been operating with a “significant number” of faults, including issues such as faulty toilets, broken air conditioning systems, communication failures, and door malfunctions. RMT members have also reported instances of trains being stranded on the track due to these problems.
The RMT has scheduled a 48-hour strike from 30 August, coinciding with the bank holiday weekend, and a 24-hour strike on 16 September, in addition to three previous strikes held on Saturdays in August. Union members are also taking “action short of strike,” refusing to work on the Class 810 trains, which entered service in December 2025. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey has demanded that the trains be taken out of service until the identified faults are resolved and the trains are proven to operate safely. EMR, however, maintains that no safety-critical faults have been identified that prevent the trains from meeting regulatory requirements, and the company asserts it is working with Hitachi Rail to address the concerns. EMR has also stated that its Regional services will not be affected by the upcoming strike action.