Ingo Repplinger, a strong voice for German cross-border employees

Solidarity and team spirit have guided the 25-year journey in the financial sector of Ingo Repplinger, delegate at Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG. From decisive negotiations to supporting cross-border workers, his work embodies ALEBA’s mission to protect and empower employees.

Before entering the world of finance, Ingo worked as an anaesthesia nurse, but personal circumstances forced him to change careers. After completing retraining and studying to become a banking specialist, he started working in the financial sector in 2002 at DZ Bank International and its then subsidiary Attrax S.A. In 2005, he moved to Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG, where he has now been working for more than 20 years. However, his first contact with ALEBA was back in 2000, when he was faced with personal and professional uncertainty due to an impending restructuring at his former company.

“I had the great honour to meet Félix Walisch back then,” Ingo recalls. “He helped me through difficult times and inspired me a lot. We have to thank him for what he gave to ALEBA members.”

Motivated by this experience, Ingo joined ALEBA in 2003. In 2010, he was encouraged by his manager at the time and several colleagues to stand for election as a staff delegate in his company. After his first few years as a member of the employee delegation, he became President of the employee delegation at Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe in Luxembourg in the 2019 social elections and is also an employee representative on the supervisory board of the group, which has its German roots in Frankfurt and Munich.

Today, Ingo continues to support his colleagues as the delegation's full-time President. “The best thing about my job as a delegate is the great team spirit and solidarity we share,” he says. “The level of satisfaction among my colleagues reflects the value of my work. That's the main reason why I'm a delegate.”

Ingo emphasises the importance of sharing knowledge and learning from ALEBA’s network: “While expects you to become an expert of labour law overnight, it’s good to brush up by visiting ALEBA events, talking to other delegations, and asking lots of questions. The ALEBA coordination team is always there to help.”

This experience has often proved decisive. Ingo gives an example of how, after intensive discussions about the correct interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement, the employees at his bank now receive their normal daily wage plus a 200% bonus for hours worked on public holidays – instead of the 100% bonus that was originally paid. In addition, the delegation has also achieved improved regulations for social leave in recent years and adapted them to current requirements. “ALEBA's experience was crucial to these agreements,” he emphasises.

He underlines how ALEBA's ability to share best practices and information between banks strengthens negotiations: “This gives me the opportunity to negotiate better conditions for our workforce.” This support was particularly important in challenging times, such as after the takeover of the Oppenheim companies in 2016. Thanks to ALEBA's support and the consistently fair and respectful dialogue with management, very good results were achieved even on sensitive issues such as job cuts and the reconciliation of interests.

As Ingo lives in Germany and commutes across the border, he has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by cross-border workers. "My main focus in my work for ALEBA today is on supporting and strengthening our German cross-border community. This is not easy – on the one hand, we cross-border commuters need the Luxembourg labour market, and Luxembourg needs skilled workers. But many people are no longer interested in traveling long distances to work. Working from home and flexible working models are more important than ever today and will increasingly shape the future of the working world."

“Our current working conditions are the result of many years of struggle, intensive dialogue, and extensive negotiations. Only by continuing this approach can further improvements be achieved and the work environment adapted to current needs.”

Outside of his professional commitments, Ingo finds balance through sports, family, and friends. He appreciates sharing this passion with his wife and daughters, who are also triathlon enthusiasts. From cycling, jogging, and swimming to organising company runs and playing soccer with colleagues, he sees sports as an important way to find balance and bring people together. In this context, his delegation has successfully helped set up a sports room in the office building and organises yoga and workout sessions.

Ingo describes ALEBA in one word: “Independent.” For him, however, independence always goes hand in hand with solidarity. “Our working conditions are based on the drive for continuous improvement and active solidarity. ALEBA provides us with the framework for this and fights alongside us.”