The World - News from June 26, 1989

Poland’s Communist-led trade unions demanded a price freeze until a new government is formed, saying public upheavals are likely if the cost of living keeps rising, the official PAP news agency reported. Authorities raised gasoline prices 40% and announced that an 83% boost in cigarette prices will take effect today. A series of stiff increases last week included sugar (66%), liquor (50%), refrigerators (67%) and washing machines (37%). Lech Walesa, leader of the independent trade union Solidarity, was in rare agreement with the government-backed unions. “I am afraid that the people may not stand the hikes,” he said.