Mad about your new hire agreement? The genesis and the facts below.

Let’s be precise, because the documents don’t lie.

In the 2018 contract, Article 3.O was narrow. In 2022, the people negotiating for you agreed to three expansions, and a federal judge catalogued them herself in March 2024: the company got discretion over “Other Bonuses/Incentives,” discretion to set the terms of those bonuses (not just the timing), and a brand new section letting them dangle incentives “at any time, in any type or form.” The judge called the company’s reading of that language “arguably justified.” Arguably. Then she shipped the dispute to the System Board without deciding whether the company was actually right.

The company took that inch and ran a mile. When the judge’s order came down silent on existing contracts, Republic treated the silence as a green light, deciding on their own not to follow what was agreed as it pertains to bonus clawbacks. Instead of taking the high road and leaving earned money alone, they reached for the promissory note and the clawback. That’s who they are. Nobody should be surprised. So we had to take it back to the courtroom.

Our position is simple and it is not moving: NO CLAWBACKS FOR ALL.

Understand how invested the company is in keeping it there: two law firms, at least seven attorneys, and countless clerks, all deployed to defend the clawback. They don’t spend that kind of money on language that doesn’t pay. And no passive approach or friendly communication is going to fix it, the company’s response to the judge’s silence proved that. You can’t hug this one out.

But here’s the part that should make you angry: they could only do it because the language let them. And the language got there because the people holding the pen in 2022 either didn’t see what they were signing, or didn’t care. Passive leadership reads the company’s proposal and nods. Aggressive leadership reads it and asks: “How will they use this against us in three years?”

Some of the pilots on the opposing slate were directly responsible, either negotiating this language or approving it. For you. Against you, before you even got here.

In this election, remember who held that pen and is directly responsible for the start of the whole New Hire/Upgrade Agreements fight we’re living through now.

When you vote, remember who caused this fight and allowed full discretion in Article 3.O.

• Thursday, November 5, 2026 — completed ballots must be received by YES Elections, not postmarked. The deadline was extended from October 29 after members reported never receiving requested replacement ballots. The notice gives the date but not a cutoff time, so post yours well before then.
• Friday, November 6, 2026 — ballots counted.
• Still no ballot? Email membership@local357.org or call the Local at (317) 644-1405. Replacements are going to every member who requested one.