This is ridiculous. You joined at a lucky time, that should not be counted against you. I mean, that's what all stock is, right? A gamble, and you won the pot on your first try. If company's stock went down, do you think they would have readjusted your base salary to match? Don't think so.

This is just another one of those tricks that companies do to try to boost your base compensation, but without putting the actual money in. Cash will always be king, always prefer it against RSUs.