I was born in Ireland and have spent most of my working life in Construction (mainly piling) and have never heard of "Pincher Laddies"

The working conditions of the original navvies were disgraceful. However I have been on building sites in the past 12 months were the provisions were not much better. Ther are still some contractors who think that a "thunderbox" in the corner is all the welfare a working man needs.

[Thunderbox - a one man chemical toilet, aka "Glasgow phonebox" (sorry I just made that up)]

Volksman