Continuity mistake: The exterior of Monk's apartment building looks completely different in various episodes.
Continuity mistake: The location of Trudy's grave changes throughout the series. In "Mr. Monk and the Candidate," it's in a spot in the graveyard by a paved intersection. In "Mr. Monk and the Red-Headed Stranger," it's in the midst of a copse of trees. In "Mr. Monk and the Three Pies," it's just off the cemetery's main drive.
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