Rail Union RMT Announces Strike Action Over New Hitachi 810 Fleet Safety Concerns

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced industrial action, including strikes and an overtime ban, for its members at LNER. The union’s decision follows a protracted dispute with the rail operator regarding the safety and operational protocols of the new Hitachi 810 'Aurora' fleet.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch stated the dispute, which began in April, stems from concerns over the fleet's structural integrity and the proposed implementation of driver-only operation. The union maintains that these issues pose significant safety risks to both passengers and staff.

The scheduled industrial action will see LNER members participating in a 24-hour strike on 29 June, followed by an overtime ban from 30 June to 4 July. These actions are anticipated to cause considerable disruption across LNER services.

Lynch highlighted the RMT's repeated attempts to engage LNER in discussions to resolve the concerns, stating that the company’s alleged refusal to address the union's proposals had necessitated the strike action. The union’s primary demand is for LNER to guarantee a second safety-critical person on every new 810 train, a measure the union insists is vital for operational safety.