Byron was a senior computer operator at the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) in November 1979 when he was selected to serve as a member of the contract negotiating committee for the union representing the workers, SEIU Local 617. After a promotion to supervising computer operator, he joined OPEIU Local 32 and became president of the NHA Association, as well as full-time union representative and chief shop steward.

Upon his retirement from NHA in May 2005, Byron became a Local 32 business representative, and in 2006 became the secretary-treasurer/business manager. With the support of the OPEIU, he was appointed vice president of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.

Byron is a lifelong resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey.