A strike threat at Transnet freight rail was withdrawn on Thursday after an agreement was reached over driver training, the company said.

The company and three unions representing staff had agreed that it was critical to operational safety that all drivers who were supposed to have undergone refresher training, did so by the end of February, said company spokesman Sandile Simelane.

Freight Rail and the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu), the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu), and the SA Railways and Harbours Workers Union (Sarhwu), had also agreed that the usual three months' notice refresher training remain in place for those drivers not overdue for the course.

"Employees who have been scheduled to attend the course in terms of the normal existing process will attend as per the scheduling... train drivers who are overdue will be interviewed to determine a suitable date for commencement of the course as soon as possible," Simelane said.

He said Satawu and Utatu had withdrawn their dispute and strike notice.

Sapa