(a) In New Castle County all debts or claims that may become due or growing due for labor or services rendered by any mechanic, laborer, clerk or other employee of any person or persons, chartered company or association employing laborers, clerks or mechanics in any manner whatsoever, shall be a first lien on all the real and personal property of such employer or employers, and shall be the first to be satisfied out of the proceeds of the sale of such property, whether made by an officer or an assignee of such employer or employers or otherwise. The debt or claim, so secured to the mechanic, laborer, clerk or other employee, shall not exceed a sum equal to the wages of such mechanic, laborer, clerk, or other employee for 1 month. In no event shall such debt or claim exceed the sum of $50, though the wages for 1 month may be a greater sum. Notice of such claim or debt shall be given to the sheriff, constable, assignee, or other person who shall make or conduct the sale of property subject to the lien or preference hereby provided for.
(b) No lien of a judgment, recognizance, or mortgage shall operate to impair or postpone the lien or preference given and secured to debts or claims mentioned in subsection (a) of this section.