the normal rules of industrial engagement and organisational effectiveness have been abandoned in favour of some apparent desire to be seen to be nice to employees and particularly the Unions.
It wasn't so much a desire to be seen to be nice, as fear of the consequences of strike action in one of the areas where flying could be stopped by a strike. BA took the easy way out, gave CC what they wanted.
BA cannot ask the rest of the staff to take pay freezes and productivity cutbacks in manpower (ie working harder) if they aren't seen to be applying that to all staff including CC.
BA have now found ways to keep flying - the VCC/wetlease - and deter CC from striking - staff travel, and not being able to go sick, which many CC did in the past rather than actually strike. BA also need to be seen to protect strike breakers from harassment, hence the disciplinaries.