Narrative:

It had to do with the operation. We only split up certain position certain ways due to triple simultaneous arrs to our 3 parallels. In certain configns our procedures require that certain local position be combined to protect for potential breakouts. The supervisor ordered 2 controllers to split these position anyway. Both controllers informed him that this was an illegal operation and he stated to do it anyway. Both controllers invoked article 65 of the natca contract. There was no accident but there have been 'close calls' when this was done several yrs ago with just 2 arrival runways. There were no go around's to create a potential conflict.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IAH CTLR VOICED CONCERN REGARDING SUPVR DECISION TO DE-COMBINE LCL CTL POSITIONS CONTRARY TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCS.

Narrative: IT HAD TO DO WITH THE OP. WE ONLY SPLIT UP CERTAIN POS CERTAIN WAYS DUE TO TRIPLE SIMULTANEOUS ARRS TO OUR 3 PARALLELS. IN CERTAIN CONFIGNS OUR PROCS REQUIRE THAT CERTAIN LCL POS BE COMBINED TO PROTECT FOR POTENTIAL BREAKOUTS. THE SUPVR ORDERED 2 CTLRS TO SPLIT THESE POS ANYWAY. BOTH CTLRS INFORMED HIM THAT THIS WAS AN ILLEGAL OP AND HE STATED TO DO IT ANYWAY. BOTH CTLRS INVOKED ARTICLE 65 OF THE NATCA CONTRACT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN 'CLOSE CALLS' WHEN THIS WAS DONE SEVERAL YRS AGO WITH JUST 2 ARR RWYS. THERE WERE NO GAR'S TO CREATE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.