Rail workers on East Midlands Railway are set to stage a 24-hour strike starting today following unsuccessful negotiations over safety concerns. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will also walk out on August 8 and August 15 as part of the ongoing industrial action.

The dispute revolves around the condition of the company’s Class 810 trains. The RMT has raised multiple safety issues, asserting that the fleet has been operating with various defects that pose risks to both staff and passengers. East Midlands Railway, however, has denied these allegations, maintaining that its trains meet all required safety standards.

Efforts to resolve the disagreement through talks did not yield an agreement, leading to the planned strikes which are expected to disrupt services across the East Midlands region. The union has emphasised the importance of addressing their concerns for the welfare of rail employees and the travelling public.

East Midlands Railway has urged passengers to check for travel updates in light of the strike action and expressed regret over the anticipated inconvenience. The company indicated it would make alternative arrangements where possible but warned that some services would inevitably be suspended during the walkouts.

This industrial action comes amid wider unrest in the UK transport sector as unions press for improvements in working conditions and safety measures. Further discussions are expected following the initial strikes, but no resolution has yet been announced.