It's always been my experience that the framers make the framing work for the light fixtures.
We don't do any new residential but we do a lot of retail. When we do stores requiring a lot of recessed lights I keep an eye on the framers (metal studs). When they start framing areas that have recessed lights that have to be laid out according to dimensions on the plans I work with them by laying out the light patern on the floor or on a string before they start framing. Sometimes the framers lay them out thierselves. Never the less, I always say that the framing can go just about anywhere, but the lights are going to be seen when the job is done. GC's that we work for have made framers redo a days work because they didn't allow for the lights that were clearly marked on the drawings.
I would say that your problem was caused by the GC's super not doing his job. He is there to make sure all trades work together and to make sure one trades work does not affect anothers.
If your lighting layout was marked on the drawing, I would say that you could beat the GC if it came down to it but maybe a comrimise would be the best course of action in your case, depending on what your relationship with the GC was in the past.
