ATSCo threatens Jobserve with an injunction
Following on from the UKTECH exclusive that ATSCo was about to launch a jobs board in competition with Jobserve, we have learnt that Robbie Cowling, MD of Jobserve has been threatened with legal action by the agents' body if he refuses to continue to do business with them.
Based on the threat to his business Robbie Cowling was about to send a letter to ATSCo members stating he will not do business with them. He has held off whilst he gets legal advice, as ATSCo lawyers have threatened him with an injunction stating that his actions are anti-competitive.
In an interview with UKTECH, Robbie said: "Why should I do business with them if they are setting up in competition? They represent 26% of my income, but I am prepared to lose that. It is unfortunate, but it looks like the only route forward is to make the lawyers rich".
Jobserve has been in business since 1994 and is the preferred choice of most IT contractors.
Robbie Cowling went on: "I believe that this will be bad for business. At present I am independent and operate a level playing field with agents. They all pay the same and get the same treatment. I have been approached by the larger agents, who have suggested they would prefer much higher prices or that I only accept a minimum order. I have always refused, as this would be bad news for the smaller agency, who I reckon, keep the larger boys on their toes."
"Will that be the same under ATSCo, or will it be a way for the big boys to control the market?"
ATSCO is run by an executive council, which includes directors from Computer People, MSB and Spring, three of the largest UK IT agencies.
Robbie continued: "I believe agents add value and have always only dealt with agents, For every 15 enquiries to set up an account, I turn away five because they are not agents"
"With this latest development I feel like a piece of meat surrounded by a bunch of piranhas. They should concentrate on offering a better service to their clients rather than trying to put me out of business"