RMT members working at East Midlands Railway (EMR) plan to take strike action on Saturday, 1 August, and the following two Saturdays over growing safety concerns that the company has failed to address.
RMT has been in dispute with EMR since April following the rollout of the 810 fleet, which has been operating with a significant number of faults.
The Union says that 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 the loss of communication between train drivers, dispatchers, and trackside staff. This has occurred at least three times in the last week alone.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said that RMT representatives at EMR had been extremely patient and had tried to engage with management, to no avail.
“The company has even put out safety notices with no involvement, consultation, or negotiation with our representatives, who represent those most at risk.
“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 said.
