The second paragraph of your post said a lot... for and against.
No manager should ignore experienced voices. A manager's job is to gather all relevant information, and make an INFORMED decision. But, I am disturbed by the statement that "there seems to be a conflict of power between 'those in charge' and those who actually know how to handle the situation." You have "supervisors" in quotes. Is there doubt as to who is charged with running the operation?
Where is the real problem? Poor management decisions? Or employees working against management decisions? Both? Who is undermining whom?
Employees will have more knowledge of the nuts and bolts, but cohesion comes through good management.