RMT strikes over safety on EMR to go ahead

RMT strikes over safety on EMR to go ahead

29 July 2026

RMT Press Office:

Rail union RMT said that 24-hour strike action on East Midlands Railways will go ahead on Saturday August 1 after the company refused to withdraw faulty trains and talks collapsed.

The dispute centres around the roll out of the 810 fleet which has been operating with a significant number of dangerous faults.

EMR has been sending trains into service that are likely to fail and require a full reset which leaves the train with no active safety systems including loss of communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside which has occurred at least three times in the last week alone.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the sudden departure of the Managing Director of East Midlands Railway this week was yet another symptom of the sense of crisis surrounding the company. 

“Despite numerous attempts to resolve the dispute through talks EMR will not remove the 810’s from service therefore the strikes will go ahead, and we remain available for further talks” he said.

Further 24-hour strike action will also take place on August 8 and August 15.

ENDS

NOTES

Picket Line Locations and times on Saturday August 1:

St Pancras 10.00-13.00 St Pancras Road

Nottingham 08.30-12.30 

Derby 0730- 1330 Front of Derby Station

Sheffield 0800-1200

PHOTO: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EMR_Class_810_Newark.jpg

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Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, East Midlands Railway, EMR, Class 810, Strike