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 economic, political, and social issues facing the Soviet Union during the period of perestroika. Gorbachev addresses concerns regarding the transition to a market economy, the role of the Communist Party, housing shortages, and the need for labor reform. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining social stability while implementing radical economic changes. Throughout the transcript, Gorbachev responds to direct questions from workers and management regarding the performance of the Uralmash plant, the role of the Presidential Council, and the political situation in Lithuania. He also discusses his past relationship with Boris Yeltsin, expressing disappointment in Yeltsin's political trajectory. The document provides a detailed look at the internal tensions and challenges within the Soviet leadership and the workforce as the country navigated significant political and economic restructuring.