CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — Dongducheon city officials offered a new plan for the Camp Casey enclave’s taxi service but an agreement hasn’t yet been reached, officials said Monday.
The area has had limited taxi service since April, when taxi drivers for Worldcup Arirang Tourism Co. went on strike for the second time in two years.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service fired Worldcup Arirang for breach of contract in June and hired Kumkang Taxi, but Dongducheon Mayor Oh Se-chang recalled the drivers from base after local residents complained they couldn’t get taxis.
The city’s latest proposal would mean 100 taxis for the Camp Casey enclave, said Song Myung-seok of the city’s traffic and administrative division.
A new base-only company would provide 50 taxis. Another 22 taxis would be owner-operated, while 28 more would come from local taxi companies.
AAFES officials said they would consider the idea. However, they still have a valid contract with Kumkang Taxi and must determine what to do, said AAFES Area I general manager Ken Limtiaco.
"We said we would look into the legality of it," Limtiaco said.
Song said the city would prevent any drivers for a potential new on-post company from striking.
"Before every taxi driver starts working, the mayor will get them to write a written promise not to go on strike in any case, and have their oaths notarized," Song said. "No strikes permitted, that’s the policy. If they do, they see their driver licenses revoked in our city."
The two sides are scheduled to meet again Monday.