Stater Bros. Markets is promoting its chief operating officer to top executive of the San Bernardino supermarket chain as Peter Van Helden steps back from the company’s day-to-day operations amid a challenging economic year.

The Wednesday, Sept. 10 announcement comes nearly a month after tough labor negotiations ended with its union, all while shoppers endured boisterous picketing by workers for most of the year — a first for the 89-year-old Stater Bros.

Van Helden, who was criticized by the union for his role in laying off grocery clerks during negotiations, takes on the role of executive chairman beginning Sept. 29.

Greg McNiff , the newly appointed chief executive officer and president, is a former executive with Albertsons — just like Van Helden, who also held several jobs with t

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