Railway workers represented by the RMT union at East Midlands Railway are preparing to stage industrial action in an ongoing dispute centred on safety standards. The union has scheduled stoppages lasting 48 hours from August 30 and a further 24-hour walkout on September 16, following previous strikes earlier in August. Workers have been instructed to refuse operation of Class 810 trains whilst specific defects remain unresolved, including malfunctioning air-cooling systems, door mechanisms, and sanitary facilities.

East Midlands Railway has disputed the severity of the concerns, stating that no safety-critical faults have been identified, whilst acknowledging the disruption the strikes will cause to passengers during the August bank holiday period. The company has emphasised its commitment to ongoing dialogue with the union and coordination with manufacturer Hitachi Rail to address the outstanding issues. Services on regional routes are expected to continue unaffected, though Intercity and Connect services will be reduced during the strike action.