Re-posting from some newer Mail, sent in by Douglas/Ungaro in July of 2000, which states:

Employment records for construction of Panama Canal:
National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park MD 20740-6001
___
Panama Canal records after construction:
National Personnel Records Center
(Civilian Personnel Records)
111 Winnebago Street
St. Louis MO 63118
___
Send: Name, Birthdate if you have it, & Approx dates of employment
___
Getting answers may be slow. Fee due for photocopies and postage.
_____

A BOOK LIST compiled by Sally Jones with additions from Stephen Hopwood and David Silvera also lists a book about workers in Panama that may be useful:

"The Silver Men: West Indian Labour Migration to Panama, 1850-1914" by Velma Newton (University of West Indies Press, 1984)

I will be starting to look for this one myself! Will report back if I find it.

Good Hunting -- Alva