Mr. Monk Is At Your Service - S5-E12
Continuity mistake: When Monk is inspecting the table ahead of the luncheon, he reaches out to straighten a crystal on the chandelier. The shot cuts to two people in the corner of the room, and the woman in this shot puts her hand on her forehead. At the right edge of the shot, you can see Monk in front of them straightening a plate on the table; however, he was inspecting the chandelier from the side of the table opposite these two individuals. (00:18:25)
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