From the sound of it, the deal was "we pay you and you come fly for us for X years"
There may or may not have been a clause to release these guys, but that is besides the point.
The idea that such a student is supposed to sit idly by for almost a year waiting for a job after being trained by Republic's flight school should likely get laughed out of court. Of course, the purpose for Republic is not to win but to financially ruin these individuals as a lesson to others.
Court cases are a line item for corporations, and an empty bank account for you. Just remember that when you think questions like "justice" or what is right is what this is about.
It is about control.
You are a peasant. A skilled peasant, but a peasant still.