Offer Letter / STD

I've been working at the Tribune for nearly 4 years now, but less than 2 as an "employee". When I was offered a job as an employee, it was for $30k less than I was making as a consultant, but they offered to "get creative" to help make up the difference, ie. $3k for a laptop, $3k for training, and 3 weeks vacation. I have since been told that this offer letter didn't constitute a contract and that they don't have to honor what they agreed to in writing. So far, they have only given me less that $1,000 in training money, and 1 week of vacation, saying that "nobody starts with 3 weeks, only 1".

Do I have any recourse?

PS... This has seriously stressed me out, along with other family financial issues to the point where my psychiatrist gave me a letter to my employer that I should take 4-8 weeks off. I have Short Term Disability insurance, but my employer is apparently doing everything possible to delay payment.