Gorbachev Addresses Uralmash Workers

This document is a transcript of a meeting held on April 25, 1990, between Mikhail Gorbachev and workers at the Uralmash production association in Sverdlovsk. The discussion covers a wide range of political and economic issues facing the Soviet Union during the period of perestroika. Gorbachev addresses concerns regarding the transition to a market economy, the role of the working class, housing shortages, and the political climate. He emphasizes the need for economic reform, the importance of maintaining social stability, and the necessity of the Party's continued leadership. Throughout the transcript, Gorbachev responds to questions from various workers and officials, including the General Director of Uralmash, Stroganov, and other representatives. Topics include the competitiveness of Soviet industrial output, the status of the Presidential Council, the political situation in Lithuania, and the role of Boris Yeltsin. Gorbachev defends his policies, advocates for democratic processes within the Party, and urges the workers to maintain productivity and support the ongoing reforms. The document provides a detailed look at the internal political discourse in the USSR shortly before its dissolution, highlighting the tensions between central authority and local industrial collectives.