Mr. Monk and the Garbage Strike - S5-E2
Continuity mistake: The edition of the San Francisco Chronicle with the headline on Jimmy Cusack's death is dated April 1, 2006. However, at the end of the episode, which is a few days later, the newspaper with the front page photo of Stottlemeyer arresting Ron Neely, is dated March 24, 2006. In addition to the fact that the date of the arrest is a full week before the date of the murder, April 1, 2006 fell on a Saturday, when the episode says the murder was on a Monday night. (00:05:05 - 00:40:25)
Mr. Monk and the Garbage Strike - S5-E2
Continuity mistake: When Captain Stottlemeyer's car stops, he pulls to the side of the road into a cluster of garbage bags, which are lining the entire road. When Natalie approaches the car, there are only a few bags on the curb next to it and the rest of the street is clean. (00:33:00)
Mr. Monk and the Garbage Strike - S5-E2
Continuity mistake: The garbage bags seen behind Dr. Kroger's window keep changing depending on the camera angle.
Answer: The two men are trying to work out a secret deal between them without involving the union, which means the workers' interests aren't being represented and defeats the whole purpose of a union. The mayor would lose labor's support and Cusack's union troubles would just be starting.
Captain Defenestrator