NORTH Sea workers are to stage a 48-hour strike next week in a dispute over their pay and allowances. The action will affect seven Shell platforms from 6.30am on August 4, 2016. Members of the Unite and RMT unions are in dispute with their employer Wood Group. The strike affects the Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie platforms. Union officials say workers' pay and allowances could be cut by as much as 30% following the downturn in the industry.