Well, I don't work for Republic (any more), but I do have a copy of the CBA...

From the Scope section...
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all present and
future flying (including that international flying which originates
or terminates within the United States or its possessions) and all
charters, ferry flights (not including ferry flights of newly-
acquired aircraft prior to being placed in revenue service),
training flights, test flights, (except test flights assigned to
management), or other utilization of aircraft owned or leased by
the company, the company’s parent or any subsidiary of the
company or subsidiary of the company’s parent shall be
performed by pilots on the Chautauqua Airlines Pilots’ System
Seniority List in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement or any other applicable agreement between the
company, the company’s parent or any subsidiary of the
company’s parent and the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters, Airline Division.

So, right there, it says, if the company owns or leases the A/C, then they have to be operated by pilots on the Master Seniority List.

But wait, there's more...
The Company, Subsidiary of the Company, the Company’s
Parent or Subsidiary of the Parent shall not establish any new
airline (alter ego or otherwise) or acquire a controlling interest in
any carrier whether directly or through the Parent or another
Subsidiary of the Parent, and maintain it as a separate carrier.
A “Controlling Interest” or “Control” means the ownership of an
equity interest representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the
outstanding capital stock of an entity or voting securities
representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting
power of outstanding securities then entitled to vote generally in
the election of such entity’s board of directors or other governing
body.

The announcement mentioned that the deal is being secured by Republic owning the note on the remaining 9 717's. Not knowing Midwest's balance sheet, I would have to say I am pretty sure that represents MORE than 50% of the equity in Midwest.

And the hits keep on coming...
The Company will not transfer aircraft, or operating authority to
its Parent, a Subsidiary of the Parent, or to a Subsidiary of the
Company for the purpose of evading the terms of this
Agreement. The Company will also not establish a third party
leasing device to evade the terms of this agreement.

That sums it up nicely.

This could be the beginning of a TERRIBLE trend in aviation...the 'virtual' airline. 'Branded' companies contracting out the flying to the cheapest provider.

Both the Midwest and RAH pilot groups should kill this as quickly and as loudly as possible.

For those of you at RAH who think this is a 'good deal' because you were about to be furloughed, keep in mind that could be YOUR 717 CA job you are giving away. Easy for me to say? Not really, I'm already on furlough.