The Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a proclamation on Aug. 28 declaring Sept. 1, 2025, as Labor Day in the county and heard several residents and former union members describe how organized labor won workplace protections now taken for granted.

That context matters to the county's commemoration: speakers linked contemporary worker protections to historical union organizing and urged continued support for labor in the face of state and federal challenges.

"My first job was at Great Lakes Steel in 1965 as a member of the United Steel Workers of America," Gary Sanders said, describing a family history of union membership and saying the proclamation was an important local affirmation. "The union made sure we had enough people on our work gang to be safe."

Jim Walters, who said he helped organize local public-employee unions and later worked under a union contract, described how collective bargaining produced a retirement that allows him to enjoy retirement today. "The retirement that we've had came because we worked under a union contract," Walters said.

Dan Daley, a long-time resident, thanked local officials for the proclamation and urged protection of labor-related resources, including the State Historical Society building in Iowa City, which Daley said holds valuable labor history.

The proclamation enumerated worker protections and benefits in its recitals — listing child labor laws, the 40-hour workweek, overtime, vacations, minimum wage, sick leave, parental leave, OSHA, employment nondiscrimination, pensions, Social Security and health insurance — and was signed by John Green as chairperson of the Board of Supervisors.

The board approved the proclamation by voice/roll call with a unanimous vote. Members thanked those who attended and invited a photo after the proclamation was adopted. A community Labor Day picnic at Lower City Park was mentioned by a speaker as an upcoming event.

No policy changes or county actions followed from the proclamation beyond the adoption itself; the meeting transcript records public comments and supervising remarks but no subsequent motions tied to county labor policy.