Claims of employees for labor or wages, if not contested, or if allowed after contest, shall have priority, unless otherwise stated in this chapter , over all claims against or liens upon such property, except prior mechanics’ liens for labor in opening or developing coal mines as allowed by law. [C97, §4022; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, § 11721; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §626.73 ] 2006 Acts, ch 1025, §2