Seattle (Jan 19) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced two new department leaders in her administration at the Office of Labor Standards and Seattle Information Technology Department. With the departure of Seattle’s Chief Technology Officer Michael Mattmiller and Dylan Orr, the Director of the Office of Labor Standards, Tracye Cantrell will serve as Acting Director of the Seattle Information Technology Department and Martin Garfinkel will serve as the Director of the Office of Labor Standards, subject to the confirmation of City Council.
“As I continue to build my cabinet, I want to thank Michael and Dylan for the work they have done for our City and residents. Dylan was critical to jumpstarting the Office of Labor Standards and overseeing the implementation of Seattle’s historic minimum wage law,” said Mayor Durkan. “Michael has led one of our largest departments and aimed to make Seattle one of the most innovative cities on the frontline of emerging technology.”
With the resignation of Michael Mattmiller, Mayor Durkan announced that Tracye Cantrell will serve as Acting Director, effective February 3, 2018. Cantrell currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Seattle Information Technology Department. Durkan will launch a search process to find a candidate for the permanent position.
In addition, Mayor Durkan announced that Martin Garfinkel will serve as the Director of the Office of Labor Standards (OLS) with the resignation of Dylan Orr. Garfinkel will begin as Acting Director on February 1, 2018 and his permanent appointment will be subject to confirmation by the City Council. Since 1982, Garfinkel has practiced labor and employment law representing unions, employees and victims of discrimination and harassment. In 2000, he joined Schroeter Goldmark & Bender. OLS currently implements the City’s labor standards for the minimum wage, paid sick and safe time, wage theft, Fair Chance Employment, Secure Scheduling, and Hotel Employee Health and Safety.
“As the Office of Labor Standards has grown in scope and size, I’m confident Marty can provide strong leadership to oversee effective implementation, strategic, enforcement and broad outreach to workers, employers, and residents. Few in Seattle have Marty’s breadth and depth of legal experience. I know he’ll use his decades of experiences to protect unions, employees and victims of discrimination and harassment and work with Seattle’s businesses to reach compliance to our laws,” concluded Durkan.
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