Unpaid Vacation Pay

[liv]

What is the name of your state? CA

I was laid off 3 months ago and have not received 3 weeks of vacation pay that I am owed. The CEO is saying that this vacation pay was not accrued since I worked only three months of my third year (we got 4 weeks of vacation pay our 3rd year) but the employee handbook states that there is no waiting period for vacation pay.
What is the best way to deal with a former employee who will not pay me what I am owed? I do not want to have to get a lawyer, but I was thinking of having someone draft me up a letter.
Thanks for your advice.

[Beth3]

If your company's vacation policy calls for three weeks of vacation upon completion of two years of service, contact CA's Labor Board and file a complaint. CA reg's require the payout of earned but unused vacation upon the termination of employment.