FINALLY HAVE A RESOLUTION. On December 10, 2008 (yesterday), we had a scheduled arbitration hearing in New York. During the hearing, they asked for an opportunity to settle, and after mutual negotiation, they agreed to what my lawyer and I felt was a fair settlement and I accepted via my lawyer. It was entered into the hearing and they will be paying me $12,972.++ within the next 30 days.
It took 13 1/2 months, and 1 more until I actually get the $$$, but I had no intention of letting them out of their commitment that they contracted with me for.
They had to pay their arbitration fees as well, so in the end they will be paying out more $$$ then if they had initially honored my claim in the beginning.
This Christmas will be so much better for me and my family now then it was last year.
Take care and thanks to everyone that made suggestions or had words of commisseration or support,
Mike