The Quincy City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday evening to recognize Juneteenth as an official city holiday, granting all city employees the day off beginning this year.
Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021, had previously been observed only by unionized city workers in Quincy. Under the new resolution, non-union city employees, including many supervisors and managers who previously worked on the holiday, will now receive the day off as well.
Kelly Jepcon, Quincy’s Director of Human Resources, explained that the change addresses operational inefficiencies. “When union employees are off, supervisors were often working with no one to supervise. This resolution helps streamline city operations and ensures fairness,” Jepcon said.
Mayor Linda Moore emphasized the broader significance of the decision. “For many non-union employees, working on Juneteenth created confusion and frustration among both staff and the public. Recognizing the holiday for all employees sends an important message about freedom and inclusion,” she said.
Both officials underscored that Juneteenth serves to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and promote unity within the community. They noted that adopting the holiday citywide reinforces these values.
Additionally, Jepcon confirmed that implementing Juneteenth as a city holiday will have no adverse impact on the city’s budget.
With this resolution, Quincy joins a growing number of municipalities officially recognizing Juneteenth as a day of reflection and celebration.
