Salary increases are matters of mutual interest, there is not provision made in any labour legislation that an employer must give salary increases......... Although you have stated that your employment contract was altered, an employer may not unilaterally change employment conditions, it depends on what the contract you to be entitled to..... I have seen employment contracts that has a build in clause that state salary will be increased at X percent per year and so on....... If this is the case the contract should prevail......... E-mail in our days is an acceptable form of communication, for example you can now E-mail a ccma referral to the employer and ccma which will be deemed served, the magistrate court and high court cater for service via email,thus, it could be seen as notice to you of any changes to employment conditions that invite you to comment although it is an email, such notices will be deemed served as per the e-mail. Hope this help Rautenbach & Associates