AUGUSTA — Political leaders are predicting the Legislature will enact reforms to Workers’ Compensation as recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission in a special session next week.

But the bill needs two-thirds approval to take effect immediately and the vote is likely to be very close.

Republican Gov. John R. McKernan, who wants no major tinkering with the Blue Ribbon Commission package, said this week that he expects the bill to win two-thirds approval by a narrow margin.

A meeting Tuesday between Richard Dalbeck of the Blue Ribbon Commission and a labor-management group which wanted to win more changes in the report saw Dalbeck holding firm on behalf of the panel.

“As far as really hugely substantial changes, I don’t think you’re going to see anything,” Dalbeck said Wednesday.

The Blue Ribbon Commission has agreed to several minor changes in its report but has refused to lower a 15 percent impairment threshold below which benefits will be reduced from 10 to five years.

Dalbeck said he didn’t expect the Blue Ribbon Commission to hold any more meetings with the labor-management group and he was eager to have the Legislature begin its work on the package.

Committees that finished public hearings last week so far have postponed work sessions that will be necessary for the package to be sent to the Legislature.

Sen. Donald E. Esty, D-Westbrook, Senate chairman of the Labor Committee, said he didn’t expect his committee to have its first work session until early next week.

Sen. Judy C. Kany, D-Waterville, Senate chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, said her committee would hold its first work session Thursday.

She said she didn’t think the work session would be long and that a single amendment in the House might incorporate changes that have been agreed on by lawmakers and the Blue Ribbon Commission.

“We all have strong support for the thrust of having labor and management working together,” she said.

A spokesman in the Revisor of Statutes office refused Wednesday to disclose how many amendments to the package lawmakers had requested.

Sen. President Charles P. Pray, D-Millinocket, said, “We all agree with the intent of the bill.

“We don’t have the authority to prevent members from offering amendments,” said Pray. “We’re at a very delicate stage of trying to reach consensus. It’s a time for people to be very receptive and open to any idea that will help bring this thing together.”

Senate Democrats are to caucus on the Blue Ribbon Commission plan Thursday afternoon.

McKernan has called the full Legislature into its special session at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1.