By making the Union membership date the same day of release is even better. As Diplome said, it now forces BASSA members to stand up and tell their union they want ths deal.
If BASSA don't put this offer to their members I predict a large number of resignations. The offer is there for everyone to see, no cloak and dagger theories or room to create conspiracies.
It would indeed be funny if none union members had better working contracts than none union members..and they would only have themselves to blame.