That's how striking works though. When you join a union you pay a recurring fee, the money is used to pay workers when they strike. Why is it hard to believe?
Ok, perhaps it's true. But in Germany, almost all social programs or union-type programs are funded somehow through taxes. Perhaps though Unions are different.
I don't know what "social programs or union-type programs" are, but the compensation people get while striking works exactly the same way in Germany: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streikgeld
Social programs and "union-type programs" are not the same thing. You're comparing government provided social security / healthcare with a union while the two are completely different.
Strikes are paid for by the union, not the employer.
Ok, I'm wrong, sorry. But my point original still holds. See @3cats-in-a-coat for more details.