CTV News has learned senior members of the RCMP's labour relations program are unhappy with the federal government's decision to roll back wage increases for the national police force and have asked for "strong support" from RCMP Commissioner William Elliott.

CTV News first learned on Friday evening that the government had decided to cap RCMP pay raises at 1.5 per cent for the next two years, as opposed to the two-per-cent raise that had been planned for 2009 and 2010.

A 1.5 per cent market adjustment scheduled for 2009 was also scrapped at the same time.

Elliott broke the news to force members in an email he sent out Friday afternoon, in which he acknowledged they would "be disappointed at this development" by the decision made by the Treasury Board.

Under Canadian law, the RCMP cannot engage in collective bargaining and pay is determined by the Treasury Board.

CTV News has since obtained a draft version of a memo Staff Relations Representative Program executive members intended to send out to their members on Friday evening, in reaction to the government's decision.

"We are extremely disappointed with the direction taken by Treasury Board on our pay package," the memo reads.

"With this unexpected Treasury Board decision it negatively impacts on our attraction and retention, which will impact on our members work load and working conditions. This is going to impact the retention of our senior members which was one of the main themes of our current pay package. These all impact on the ability of our members to properly protect the safety of all Canadians."

The memo tells RCMP members that Staff Sergeants Bob Meredith and Brian Roach, both of the Staff Relations Representative Program, as well as pay committee chair Gord Dalziel, asked Elliott to bring the matter up with the Minister of Public Safety.

"We expect strong support from our Commissioner," the memo reads.

And the memo informs its members that their representatives plan to fight the decision as hard as they can.

"We are looking at every possible means to try and rectify this situation including speaking with our Ministers, all elected officials and legal experts," the memo reads.