sdpatt:
You pull upwards on the clutch pedal with about 10 pounds of force. This will remove any slack from the cable, but it won't help the clutch disk grab the flywheel any better. it will only help the release point be higher in the pedal's travel. If anything, you may want to release the pawl and press upward on it with a finger to add a little slack to the cable.
You may want to ask the shop if they resurfaced the flywheel and with what type of lathe. It requires an orbital cross-cut rather than the record groove cut of a brake lathe. There is a lack of friction between the friction disk and the pressure plate and flywheel. It may just need more break in to get all of the flywheel's surface in contact with the disk.
After finding out how much effort it was to remove and replace the clutch, I would be quite upset in your shoes right now. I'm sorry for your troubles. Hopefully the friction will increase over a few more break in miles.