Its a game of chess, with the winner predicting the others move in advance and then working out their counter move. He could most likely see what everyones actions where going to be well in advance, especially the unions response to the board meeting.
Hence put the chess pieces in place, and whalla you get a couple of triggers post board meeting and you press the button on the machinery that you have waiting to go. He set the trap, and then sprung it when he thought the prey was in it.