Gateway has given notice to quit its tech outsourcing contract with Sykes Enterprises, after failing to agree better terms. The contract ends in June.

Sykes currently has 800 people supplying tech support for Gateway customers, and expects to issue pink slips to 500 of these, with most working in Bismarck, North Dakota, when the gig ends, AP reports.

Sykes also provides tech support services for Apple and Microsoft. ®