The problem with pilotage providers is that the profit margin is very thin. UEOs nowadays drive a very hard bargain as they have to get value for money as well...
It's obvious where the profit is however - maintenance; which is why the engineers are now on as much if not more than the contracted out pilotage.
There are many ways and means of overcoming fixed pay points when directly employed but it does require a forward looking UEO who values his very experienced pool of pilots and wants to keep them - believe it or not but in this day and age we are quite hard to find!
Get together and lobby your UEO, make a business case and let him sell it - Direct employment isn't without its problems but it is the only way to go...