Laborers Local 397’s Steve Tyler retiring as business manager; Field Rep Bill Traylor moving up

Edwardsville, IL – One of the more familiar faces among Metro-East Labor leaders, Steve Tyler (right), business manager and secretary treasurer of Laborers Local 397, announced his retirement at the April 11 meeting of the Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council, and introduced his replacement, Bill Traylor (left), who is moving up from his position as field representative for the Local. Traylor, of Bond County, has been a third-generation Laborer for 35 years and Local 397’s field rep for the past 12 years. “It’s been a hell of journey,” he told the Labor Tribune. “Every day’s a learning experience, and every challenge is an opportunity.” – Labor Tribune photo