Employee owed wages from 2003 Bankruptcy

[Alemaker566]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota

My current employer has owed me 2 weeks of wages dating back to a bankruptcy filing in 2003. Roughly $2000.

This past fall I received a letter from a firm (whose stated goal is to help companies save money) telling me that I had 30 days to return the letter to them to claim my check for $238. I shredded that letter to avoid the temptation to take the money, knowing I was owed much more. Everybody that sent back the letter was indeed paid the 10 cents on the dollar. Myself and few others held out.

Today I not only received another letter from the same firm but also a check for $238. Both stated that by cashing this check we were "releasing all claims of debt from [employer] and accepting this as payment in full.

I have no intention of cashing this check either. It's my belief that this is simply a manuever to get me to settle for less than owed.

My question is this: Is there anything I need to do convey to the firm that I have no intention of settling for less than I'm owed, or do I just sit back and wait?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[ariastar]

You're lucky to be offered as much as you are. If the bankruptcy is discharged, you'll likely get nothing.

 

[Alemaker566]

The bankruptcy happened in 2003! Another company bought them while in bankruptcy and acquired the debt schedule. The details were something along the lines of this: Depending on the new company's gross sales, they had to pay a minimum of $200,000/year and a maximum of $400,000/year to administration/creditors through 2009 until all were paid or time ran out.

I still work for the new company and know that business has been very profitable during the past 4+ years. That,along with the wording of the letters, makes me believe they are simply trying to pay out as little as possible...which I don't blame them for. It's good business.