There’s been some more belt-tightening in the trade association world, as the Credit Union National Association downsizes its operations.

The 270-employee organization has eliminated six positions at its Madison, Wis., headquarters and two inside the Beltway. None were in the association’s government relations operation.

The action was taken last week with an eye to the 2009 budget, according to CUNA spokesman Mark Wolff.

“It really has to do with higher than expected decline in revenues in the year to come from areas like conferences and publications in an economy that may well get worse before they get better,” Wolff said.

In a couple of cases, Wolff said the group also reduced its retainer with non-lobbying outside consultants.

The association’s lobbying contracts were unaffected.